Coronavirus: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office said Tuesday.

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Mark Miner, director of the Office of the Governor Communications, issued a statement after Abbott, 63, tested positive.

“Gov. Greg Abbott today tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,” the statement said. “The governor has been testing daily, and today was the first positive test result. Gov. 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. Governor Abbott is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment.

Abbott was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the governor’s office said. He was vaccinated late last year and early this year, using the Pfizer vaccine, according to The Dallas Morning News.

His wife, first lady Cecilia Abbott, tested negative. Abbott’s office said the governor showed no symptoms for COVID-19.

According to Miner’s written statement, Abbott is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment. Miner added that “everyone that the governor has been in close contact with today” has been informed of his positive test.

The positive test comes a day after Abbott tweeted a photo of himself not wearing a mask while speaking indoors near Dallas to a group of Republicans, The Associated Press reported. Most the audience members were not wearing masks.

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