Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Tests Positive for Coronavirus

U.S.|Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas tested affirmative for the coronavirus.

• Aug. 17, 2021Updated 5:32 p.m. ET

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas tested affirmative for the coronavirus connected Tuesday, though helium has nary symptoms, the governor’s bureau announced.

An ardent hostile of disguise and vaccine mandates, Mr. Abbott has taken his absorption to specified requirements each the mode to the authorities Supreme Court. Mr. Abbott, who is afloat vaccinated, volition present beryllium isolated successful the Governor’s Mansion portion receiving aesculapian treatment.

“The Governor has been investigating daily, and contiguous was the archetypal affirmative trial result,” the connection said. “Governor Abbott is successful changeless connection with his staff, bureau heads, and government.”

Vaccinations successful Texas lag down those of galore different states, and coronavirus deaths are rising, though acold much dilatory than successful anterior waves, fixed that a bulk of the state’s oldest and astir susceptible residents are present vaccinated. The authorities has averaged much than 14,700 caller regular cases arsenic of Monday, an summation of 53 percent from 2 weeks earlier, according to a New York Times database.

Mr. Abbott has faced withering criticism arsenic coronavirus cases person accrued sharply successful Texas and disposable intensive-care beds person dwindled successful Austin and different cities. But helium maintained his prohibition connected disguise mandates, which prohibits section officials from imposing restrictions successful their communities.

Fear and vexation implicit the people of the pandemic successful Texas, the nation’s 2nd astir populous state, travel arsenic schools are preparing to reopen, raising worries astir further dispersed of the virus.

Last month, responding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issuing caller guidance recommending that afloat vaccinated radical did not request to deterioration a disguise indoors successful high-risk areas, Mr. Abbott doubled down successful the other direction. He issued an enforcement order that prohibited section governments and authorities agencies from mandating vaccines, and reaffirmed erstwhile decisions to prohibit section officials from mandating masks.

The politician besides affirmed that schools could not enact disguise mandates for students, a determination that immoderate nationalist wellness experts warned could pb to different surge successful cases.

Late connected Friday, aft Governor Abbott’s prohibition suffered astatine slightest 3 ineligible setbacks, the authorities lawyer general, Ken Paxton, said helium was taking the contented to the State Supreme Court. The setbacks were successful areas with Democratic leaders, rampant coronavirus cases and rising hospitalizations.