Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he has contracted coronavirus despite being vaccinated



A spokesman for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement that he had tested positive for the coronavirus despite being fully vaccinated.

"Governor Greg Abbott today tested positive for the COVID-19 virus," read the statement released Tuesday.

"The Governor has been testing daily, and today was the first positive test result," the statement continued. "Governor Abbott is in constant communication with his staff, agency heads, and government officials to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently. The Governor will isolate in the Governor's Mansion and continue to test daily."

The statement said that Abbott would be receiving monoclonal antibody treatment developed by Regeneron.

Abbott, 63, is not experiencing any symptoms and is in good health. His wife, first lady Cecilia Abbott, has tested negative for the virus.

Some noted that the governor had attended a Republican Club meeting Monday in North Texas. He said on social media that the meeting had been "standing room only."

The governor has vehemently opposed mask and vaccine mandates. In April, he signed an executive order banning government-mandated vaccine passports. He also banned state offices, including schools, from imposing mask mandates, though that is being contested in the courts.

"We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health and we will do so without treading on Texans' personal freedoms," Abbott said at the time.

Texas dropped social distancing guidelines in March after the coronavirus cases and deaths dropped precipitously. Since that time, new infections have spiked to a seven-day average of nearly 15,000 from a previous high of 22,000 in January. Daily deaths have spiked to a seven-day average of 139 from a high of 340 in January.

Here's more about the governor's statement:

BREAKING: Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19, his office sayswww.youtube.com

27 vaccinated people — including 26 crew members, 1 passenger — test positive for COVID on cruise ship



At least 26 fully vaccinated Carnival cruise crew members and one vaccinated passenger have tested positive for COVID-19, the Associated Press reports, just ahead of the ship's stop in Belize City.

The Carnival Vista, which is carrying more than 1,400 crew and nearly 3,000 passengers, was headed back to Galveston, Texas, last Friday after having stopped in Mexico.

What are the details?

The outlet reported that a statement from the Belize Tourism Board noted that all 27 people with confirmed cases had mild or no symptoms and were in isolation.

The statement also noted that "99.98% of the ship's crew was vaccinated, as well as 96.5% of its passengers."

On Friday, Carnival said that it was managing a "small number of positive COVID cases," the Washington Post reported.

"Carnival is managing a small number of positive COVID cases on Carnival Vista sailing out of Galveston," a statement from the company said. "This despite all of our crew and almost all of our guests being vaccinated. We have managed the situation utilizing stringent health protocols which included placing those who tested positive in isolation and close contacts in quarantine."

Carnival added that the cruise line now requires guests to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding regardless of their vaccination status.

According to CNBC, Carnival is requiring all passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with exceptions made for children and people with medical exemptions.

A spokesperson for the popular cruise line told Axios that the company "has a process in place to randomly test a large percentage of the crew multiple days per week," even those who have been fully vaccinated.

"The health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the destinations we visit is our priority. All activities on the ship are taking place and our guests have been terrific at adapting to our new protocols," the spokesperson added.