Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, reported on social media that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The politician got infected despite having previously received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. He admitted, however, that he did not regret undergoing the vaccination, as it resulted in much milder symptoms.
“I have just been informed by a House (Representatives) doctor that I tested positive for COVID-19 even though I am vaccinated,” said Lindsey Graham, 66, a South Carolina Republican and staunch ally of former US President Donald Trump, on Twitter. He added that he began to experience disturbing symptoms on Saturday night, and he went to the doctor on Monday.
“I feel like I have a sinus infection and now have mild symptoms. (…) I am very glad to be vaccinated because without it I am sure I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be much worse” – Graham declared. The senator took the first dose of the vaccine in December last year.
The Republican announced that he would be subject to a 10-day quarantine.
Graham has not said whether he has tested positive for the Delta coronavirus, which is blamed for the recent surge in infections in the United States, especially in the south of the country, where vaccination rates are relatively low. In South Carolina, 46 percent of South Carolina residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine so far, according to Reuters news. This, he points out, is well below the national average of 58 percent.
Infection after meeting on the yacht
According to CNN, Graham was one of a dozen guests on the yacht of another Senator, Democrat Joe Manchin, over the weekend. He assured journalists that all invited persons were vaccinated and that the meeting itself was taking place outside. Manchin, like other participants in the meeting, also tested for COVID-19, but was negative.
Fully vaccinated people do not have to quarantine after contact with an infected person, unless they develop symptoms, under the current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reminds Reuters. He adds that such people should be tested for coronavirus three to five days after contact.
Senator Lindsey Graham infected with coronavirus despite receiving the vaccineReuters
Coronavirus in the US. The number of vaccinations is rising again
With the rapidly worsening epidemic and the introduction of vaccination obligations by major employers, the number of vaccinations in the US has started to increase again. According to the White House, the past week was the best in almost 2 months in this respect. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccinated people account for less than 10 percent. hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
CDC data show that 57.9% have been fully vaccinated so far. people over 12 years of age and 60.4 percent. adults.
On Friday, for the first time since February, the number of new coronavirus infections in the US exceeded 100,000, and experts predict that this number may rise to 300,000. still in August.
Main photo source: Reuters