Texas Governor Greg Abbott tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.  According to a statement from Abbott’s office, the Texas governor is fully vaccinated and had been tested for the virus daily before he tested positive.  His office added: “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’s office also said that Abbott is currently experiencing no symptoms but is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment, and will isolate in the governor’s mansion where he will continue to be tested daily. The governor’s wife, first lady Cecilia Abbott, tested negative; and those who have been in close contact with Abbott have been notified of his COVID diagnosis. On Monday night, Abbott had tweeted a photo of himself speaking before a crowd of maskless guests at a Republican event in Collin County.

Abbott has been engaged in a battle with local school districts after he issued an executive order in May barring governmental entities, including public health authorities, from requiring face coverings and so-called vaccine passports. Texas is experiencing a COVID-19 surge as the state reported 20,123 new cases and 96 new deaths on Tuesday with 12,227 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized.

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