Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an Aug. 17 statement from the Office of the Governor.

"Governor Abbott is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in good health, and currently experiencing no symptoms. Everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with today has been notified," Communications Director Mark Miner said in a press release.

Abbott has been tested daily for the virus, according to his office, and tested positive for the first time today. His wife Cecilia Abbott tested negative.

Abbott is isolating in the governor's mansion and will continue to test for the virus daily. He is also receiving monoclonal antibody treatment. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has relaunched monoclonal antibody infusion centers in several areas of the state this month, including one in Austin, which opened Aug. 16. In an Aug. 13 announcement from the governor's office, patients at the infusion centers have to meet certain criteria and must be referred by a doctor.

Breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals such as Abbott are thought to be relatively rare, and are usually accompanied by mild symptoms or none at all. In Travis County, for instance, Austin Public Health data shows 0.037% of the county's fully vaccinated individuals have reported becoming infected with COVID-19, with most of those infections occurring in July and August, since the delta variant began circulating in the area. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has reported coronavirus vaccines authorized in the United States are effective against the delta variant, but some breakthrough cases will occur.

According to his office, Abbott remains in communication with his staff and other Texas officials "to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently."