Audio By Carbonatix
Texas Governor, Greg Abbott has tested positive for Covid-19, his office said Tuesday.
Abbott, a Republican, is fully vaccinated against the virus, his office said in a statement, adding that he is tested daily and this is his first positive result.
He is currently isolated in the governor's mansion and is receiving Regeneron's monoclonal antibody treatment, the statement said. Abbott is in good health and not currently experiencing any symptoms.
Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott has tested negative and everyone with whom Abbott has been in close contact has been notified, the statement continued. Abbott attended an indoor "Republican Club" event Monday evening, according to photos posted to his Twitter account.
The Texas Republican joins a list of governors who have tested positive for Covid-19 throughout the pandemic, though Abbott's diagnosis is likely to fuel scrutiny from critics given his resistance to implementing mitigation measures as the Delta variant surges nationwide.
Abbott has opposed mask mandates and issued an executive order banning school districts from requiring masks. He had lifted the state's mask mandate in March and allowed businesses to open at 100% capacity despite warnings from public health officials.
"Too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities. Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills. This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100%," Abbott said at the time.
Removing mandates, he added, "does not end personal responsibility and caring for your family members, friends and others in your community. People and businesses don't need the state telling them how to operate."
But now the state is reeling from a surge of new Covid-19 cases. On Tuesday, there were 327 ICU beds available in Texas and 11,791 lab-confirmed Covid-19 patients in hospitals throughout the state, according to state health data.
Texas had the most pediatric Covid-19 hospitalizations in the nation, at 239, according to the latest data released Monday by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s High Commissioner to UK commits to support Team Ghana at Commonwealth Games
9 minutes -
Photos: Flood Mitigation Task Force begins phased dredging, demolition exercise in Accra
15 minutes -
ICC top prosecutor removed over sexual misconduct allegations
24 minutes -
Glasgow 2026: Ghanaian boxer Abdul Wahid Omar eliminated after unanimous points defeat to Patris Mughalzai
31 minutes -
Ghana Gas CEO Judith Adjobah Blay earns Master of Laws degree from University of Nottingham
34 minutes -
Gender Minister leads monitoring exercise to strengthen School Feeding Programme
34 minutes -
Gov’t advocates capacity building for Ghana’s creative industry at interior design masterclass
37 minutes -
Flood Mitigation Task Force begins phased dredging, desilting and demolition exercise across various locations in Accra
49 minutes -
The Brotherhood: ‘Pastors should stop teaching that sex before marriage is wrong’ – MC Mr. Hanson
1 hour -
Komfo Anokye Blood Bank appeals for more donors amid fears of blood shortage due to rising road crashes
2 hours -
National standardised test will identify learning gaps, not fail pupils – Dr. Apaak
2 hours -
The AI infrastructure race is not the only race that matters
2 hours -
2026 Ga Homowo Health Walk set for bigger show as Bills Micro Credit donates GH¢350,000
2 hours -
71% of HR professionals say they are underpaid — SEDAT report urges action on pay inequity
2 hours -
Africa’s future depends on moving people, skills and ideas across borders — Dr Yamson
2 hours