KEY POINTS
- The Republican senator said he's suffering "flu-like symptoms"
- Graham believes his condition may have been worse had he not been fully vaccinated
- An analysis found that breakthrough infections remain rare
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, announced Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated against the virus.
In a series of tweets, Sen. Graham said he had “flu-like symptoms” over the weekend and went to get tested on Monday. He added that he only has “mild symptoms.”
“I was just informed by the House physician I have tested positive for COVID-19 even after being vaccinated. I started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor this morning,” the South Carolina Republican wrote.
Graham noted that he felt glad to have been fully vaccinated and believes his condition could have been worse had he not been inoculated.
“I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse,” his tweet read.
Prior to Graham’s announcement, he and a small group of fellow senators were seen on a houseboat owned by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN.
Manchin, who is also fully vaccinated against COVID-19, later revealed he had tested negative for the virus and added that he and other senators held no celebrations on the houseboat.
An analysis performed by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that breakthrough infections are found in less than 1% of the fully vaccinated population. The analysis also found that less than 0.004% of fully vaccinated individuals required hospitalization after being diagnosed with COVID-19, the Seattle Times reported.
However, a study conducted by the CDC found that fully vaccinated people who are infected with the novel coronavirus could still infect other people.
"High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that, unlike with other variants, vaccinated people infected with Delta can transmit the virus," Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC’s director, said in a statement Friday, according to NPR.
The findings in the study have prompted CDC officials to update its mask recommendation, which now urges even fully vaccinated people to wear face coverings in public indoor settings.
“The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others, including their unvaccinated or immunocompromised loved ones,” Walensky said.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, is seen at the US Capitol on January 7, 2021, denouncing the previous day's attack by inflamed Trump supporters on the historic building; he says impeaching Donald Trump would serve no purpose Photo: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / ALEX WONG
