Three U.S. senators test positive for COVID-19

[August 20, 2021]  By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Three U.S. senators - Republican Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Democrat John Hickenlooper of Colorado and independent Angus King of Maine - disclosed on Thursday they had tested positive for COVID-19.

All three had been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Hickenlooper, 69, said on Twitter he had "tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. I feel good but will isolate per docs instructions. I’m grateful for the vaccine."

Wicker, 70, the top Republican on the Democratic-led Senate Commerce Committee, was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, had experienced mild symptoms, is in good health and is being treated by his Mississippi-based physician, his office said.

King, 77, was tested as a precaution after he began feeling unwell on Wednesday, his office said.

"While I am not feeling great, I'm definitely feeling much better than I would have without the vaccine," King said in a statement, adding he "began feeling mildly feverish" on Wednesday.

The Senate last week wrapped up its work in Washington for the month and is set to return for legislative business on Sept. 13.

More than 70 members of the House of Representatives and Senate have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to GovTrack, a nonpartisan organization.

Roger Wicker (R-MS) speaks during a news conference to introduce the Republican infrastructure plan, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., April 22, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott

U.S. Representative Ron Wright, 67, died in February after testing positive for COVID-19 the prior month, making the Texas Republican the first member of Congress to die from the disease.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said this month he tested positive, also despite being vaccinated. Graham completed a 10-day self-quarantine and returned to the Senate.

Other senators who previously tested positive and recovered include Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham and Peter Cooney)

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