New York House Democrat tests positive for COVID-19

Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday announced he has contracted a breakthrough case of COVID-19 as the nation grapples with a surge of infections due to the omicron variant.

Delgado said that he tested positive on Tuesday and is experiencing mild symptoms. He said he had received a booster shot of a coronavirus vaccine, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I’m grateful for the protection of a safe and effective vaccine and booster and encourage all who are able to get both,” Delgado said. “I’m sending love and a special thanks to all of our frontline health care workers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.” 

Delgado is the seventh member of Congress to contract a breakthrough case of COVID-19 — meaning a case in a fully vaccinated person — this week.

Lawmakers who have announced positive tests since last weekend include Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), as well as Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.).

Overall, 26 members of Congress — 20 in the House and 6 in the Senate — have contracted breakthrough cases of COVID-19, according to a tally kept by The Hill.

Additionally, four House Republicans — Reps. Clay Higgins (La.), Barry Moore (Ala.), Scott Perry (Pa.) and Jim Jordan (Ohio) — have said since this summer they contracted COVID-19, but it’s not clear if they were vaccinated.

President Biden outlined a plan on Tuesday to address the surge of COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant, including sending millions of rapid at-home tests to Americans, mobilizing military health personnel if hospitals need them and encouraging people to get booster shots.