WASHINGTON (Talk1370.com) -- Two additional Texas House Democrats tested positive for COVID-19 in the nation's capital on Sunday, bringing the total of positive results among the delegation to five.
State Reps. Celia Israel (D-Austin) and Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) are two of the five members who have confirmed that they have tested positive for the virus. Israel said her positive test result came back Saturday morning, while Fischer's positive result came Sunday.
All of the positive test results have come from rapid tests, according to a statement from the Texas House Democratic Caucus. The caucus also says all of the members who have tested positive were fully vaccinated and are said to be feeling mild or no symptoms. They'll isolate themselves for 10 days, officials said.
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"In light of some positive COVID-19 tests over the weekend, the House Democratic Caucus has decided to go beyond CDC guidance and provide daily rapid tests for all Members and staff in Washington D.C. for this week," said a statement released by the caucus on Sunday. "As part of this precautionary testing, today two additional Members who were fully vaccinated tested positive."
State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) said in a tweet that the remaining House Democrats are continuing to follow health and safety protocols, along with regular testing for COVID-19.
The positive COVID-19 tests cap off a whirlwind week for the Texas Democrats, who fled the state earlier this week in order to break quorum in the House, aiming to stall efforts by the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass an election integrity bill among other GOP priority items.
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The delegation has been taking meetings with several key Washington figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday. Despite the positive tests, a Harris spokesperson said Saturday that the Vice President was not at risk. "Earlier today, it was brought to our attention that two of the members at that meeting tested positive for COVID-19," said Harris’s spokesperson Symone Sanders. "Based on the timeline of these positive tests, it was determined the Vice President and her staff present at the meeting were not at risk of exposure because they were not in close contact with those who tested positive and therefore do not need to be tested or quarantined. The Vice President and her staff are fully vaccinated."