Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announces he tests positive for COVID-19
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has COVID-19.
Lucas announced Friday he received a positive test Thursday night despite being vaccinated against the virus and receiving a booster shot.
“Because of (the vaccine and booster) I am experiencing few symptoms,” Lucas said in a statement.
Throughout the pandemic, Lucas said, he has been regularly tested for COVID-19. Earlier this week he tested negative for the virus before receiving a positive test Thursday.
A spokeswoman for the mayor said he has contacted individuals who may be close contacts but noted city council had not met this week and those in the mayor’s office had been working remotely.
“I thank all of our healthcare workers who continue their work to serve our community. Let’s help them—and each other—by encouraging all in our lives who are not yet vaccinated or boosted to make it a priority today and to use caution as we ring in the New Year,” Lucas said.
In a Twitter post, Lucas said he was quarantining in his garage and that his wife had tested negative and baby was doing fine.
“I’m set up away from them in the garage which is unfortunate, but hopefully keeping everyone safe and healthy,” Lucas wrote.
The infection comes as case rates in the Kansas City area continue to rise and concerns mount about the omicron variant, which has proven to be extremely contagious.
The seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 cases reached 940 on Tuesday, the highest it’s been since January.
A list of COVID-19 testing resources can be found here.
This story was originally published December 31, 2021 at 10:36 AM.
