Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver tests positive for COVID-19 in breakthrough infection
Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver announced Wednesday evening that he tested positive for COVID-19 in a breakthrough infection as the Omicron variant of the disease surges across the country.
“This afternoon, I tested positive for COVID-19,” Cleaver said in a statement. “While I am experiencing very minor cold-like symptoms, because I am vaccinated and boosted, I am confident that I will be protected from severe illness.”
Cleaver said he he will isolate and work remotely in the meantime. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a rule early in the pandemic that allows members to vote by proxy, making it easier for them to continue to work remotely. The House is in recess next week.
Cleaver’s positive diagnosis comes as health departments have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of positive cases, to the point where Kansas’ Department of Public Health announced this week that it would stop contact tracing.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s top COVID-19 adviser, said last week that it’s likely most people will be exposed and potentially catch the Omicron variant, but that it’s still too soon to tell whether the Omicron surge will end the pandemic.
While the Omicron surge appears to be receding in Washington, D.C. — cases have decreased by 42 percent over the past 14 days according to the New York Times COVID-19 tracker — it was one of the first cities hit by the Omicron variant right before the holidays.
The response in the Capitol has been mixed. Many of the committee meetings have switched over to virtual and members of the House of Representatives receive a fine if they do not wear a mask on the floor. Still, many Republicans and their staffers do not wear masks while walking around the building.
It is difficult to track how many members have gotten COVID-19 during the Omicron surge because there is no requirement to publicly report a positive test, but several lawmakers have reported positive tests.
This story was originally published January 19, 2022 at 7:27 PM.