Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19 after mask mandate ban [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) tested positive for COVID-19.
• Abbott was asymptomatic and was receiving the Regeneron drug as treatment.
• The governor recently banned mask and vaccine mandates across the state.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Texas’ governor’s office announced that Gov. Greg Abbott (R) tested positive for COVID-19.

“Governor Greg Abbott today tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The Governor has been testing daily, and today was the first positive test result. Governor Abbott is in constant communication with his staff, agency heads, and government officials to ensure that the state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, his wife Cecilia has tested negative for the virus, per the statement. Those who had a recent close encounter with Abbott have been already advised of his COVID diagnosis.

Abbott is being given a Regeneron’s antibody treatment, similar to what former President Donald Trump had received. Fortunately, though, the governor was not suffering from any symptoms and was already inoculated against the virus.

“The Governor will isolate in the Governor’s Mansion and continue to test daily. Governor Abbott is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment,” the statement added.

According to NBC News, Abbott had received a booster shot and he reportedly told other people about it.

Abbott, who has been a vocal critic of the mask and vaccine mandates, hosted a “standing room only event in Collin County” a day before his COVID diagnosis. It was an indoor gathering and photos showed that only a number of people were wearing their face masks.

Last July, the governor signed an executive order banning mask mandates and vaccine requirements across state agencies and municipalities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a recommendation this week, encouraging all citizens with deficient immune systems to take a COVID-19 booster shot. The US government is planning to release an advisory to urge Americans to secure a booster shot after eight months following their last jab.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that between January 1 and early August, there were 193,204 cases of breakthrough infections in the US. 

Source: AOL.com