Graham says he has COVID-19 ‘breakthrough’ infection | TheHill – The Hill

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham19 House Democrats call on Capitol physician to mandate vaccines The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by AT&T - Simone wins bronze with altered beam routine The job of shielding journalists is not finished MORE (R-S.C.) said Monday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, even though he was fully vaccinated.

I was just informed by the House physician I have tested positive for COVID-19 even after being vaccinated, he said.

I started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor this morning. I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms. I will be quarantining for ten days, he added.

Graham was one of 17 GOP senators who have been helping advance a bipartisan infrastructurebill, meaning its supporters will be down a vote untilhe comes out of quarantine. They only need 10 GOP senators to support it if every Democrat does.

Graham is the first senator known to test positive for the coronavirus in months,and the first known "breakthrough" case among vaccinated senators. A CNN survey earlier this year found that only four out of 100 senators, at the time, were not vaccinated.

Graham's announcement comes amid growingpublic concern about the potential for so-called breakthrough cases, when a fully vaccinated persontests positive for the coronavirus.

Public health officialshave stressed that symptomaticbreakthrough infections for fully vaccinated individuals are rare and getting vaccinated makes getting a severe case of the coronavirus less likely.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than 1 percent of fully vaccinated Americans have had a breakthrough case that results in hospitalizationor death.

Graham, in his statement, touted the vaccine, saying that if he wasn't vaccinated "my symptoms would be far worse."

I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now," he said.

After largely shedding their masks in mid-May after the CDC loosened its mask guidance for vaccinated individuals, the CDC and the Capitol physician recommended last week that everyone wear a mask when indoors and around others regardless of vaccination status.

Though the House has mandated masks, the guidance to the Senate is only a recommendation. That sparked a mostly partisan split in the upper chamber. Democrats largely wore masks while walking between their offices and the Capitol, though several shed them when they were on the floor with other senators.

Republicans have largely stopped wearing masks.

Graham was spotted in the Capitol on Monday morning and spoke briefly with reporters. He was wearing a mask and appeared to be in a hurry, both of which caught the attention of reporters.

Spokespeople forthe South Carolina Republican didn't immediatelyrespond to a question about if, or when, he alerted leadership or other Senate offices to his test result.

But Sen. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiKaine says he has votes to pass Iraq War repeal in Senate Ohio special election: A good day for Democrats Graham's COVID-19 'breakthrough' case jolts Senate MORE (R-Alaska), who said she was wearing a mask in accordance with the CDC's new guidance, was not aware that Graham had tested positive.

"I haven't seen him and I didn't know that," Murkowski said when askedabout her mask. "I am wearing it because we're in the District, and the District has imposed a mask mandate."

A group of senators, including Graham, had gathered on Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinSenate rejects GOP effort to add Trump border wall to bipartisan infrastructure deal Youth organizations call on Biden to ensure 'bold' climate investments Democrats barrel toward August voting rights deadline MOREs (D-W.Va.) houseboat over the weekend, a source confirmed to The Hill.

Sens. Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl RosenThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - White House, Dems play blame game over evictions Graham's COVID-19 'breakthrough' case jolts Senate Graham says he has COVID-19 'breakthrough' infection MORE (D-Nev.) and Mark KellyMark KellyWhite House trying to beat back bipartisan Cornyn infrastructure amendment The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - White House, Dems play blame game over evictions Graham's COVID-19 'breakthrough' case jolts Senate MORE (D-Ariz.) were also at the gathering on Manchin's houseboat with Graham. CDC guidance says fullyvaccinated individuals should get tested three to five days after a potential exposure and wear a mask for up to 14 days unless they get a negative test result.

Senator Kelly came into contact with Senator Graham during a bipartisan gathering this weekend hosted by Senator Manchin. Senator Kelly is fully vaccinated and following CDC guidelines and the advice of the Office of the Attending Physician," a spokesperson for Kelly said.

Sam Runyon, a spokeswoman for Manchin, said that he is fully vaccinated and following the CDC guidelines for those exposed to a COVID positive individual.

Updated at 5:13 p.m.

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Graham says he has COVID-19 'breakthrough' infection | TheHill - The Hill