Senator Lindsey Graham First Vaccinated Senator to Test Positive for COVID-19

In a statement released Monday afternoon, the South Carolina Republican said he “started having flu-like symptoms on Saturday night” and went to the doctor Monday morning.

After being notified of his positive test, Graham said he would quarantine him for 10 days.

“I feel like I have a sinus infection and right now I have mild symptoms,”said Graham, 66. “I am very happy to have been vaccinated because without the vaccine, I am sure that I would not feel as good as I do now. My symptoms would be much worse. “

Graham, who was vaccinated in December, has been a long-time advocate for vaccination, saying during a visit this spring to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston that “the sooner we get everyone vaccinated, the faster we can get back to life. normal”.

Graham’s infection comes on the heels of updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging even fully vaccinated people to go back to wearing masks indoors in areas of high coronavirus transmission, citing the rise in the highly contagious delta variant. A recent analysis has shown that groundbreaking COVID-19 cases, with mild or no symptoms, remain rare.

Both houses of Congress have been adopting stricter face-covering regulations amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the country. The House has reverted to the mask requirement, while the Senate has recommended medical grade face coverings.

Graham, who was wearing a mask, did not respond to questions from reporters on Capitol Hill early Monday before the statement was issued. Due to Senate votes, Graham did not attend Friday night’s Silver Elephant dinner, the South Carolina Republican Party’s signature annual fundraiser and an event attended by hundreds, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a keynote speaker.