Rep. Kevin Brady positive for COVID-19, quarantined, receiving outpatient treatment

U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, announced in a Jan. 5 tweet that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Tonite the Office of House Physician informed me that I’ve tested positive for Covid 19 & am quarantined.

As recommended, I received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Dec 18 & also recently tested negative for Covid on New Years Day.

Begin treatment tomorrow.

Shld be fine.

— Rep. Kevin Brady (@RepKevinBrady) January 6, 2021

Isabelle Gwozdz, Brady's press secretary, followed the statement with a Jan. 6 news release that Brady had received a negative test before traveling to the Capitol. She said Brady is scheduled to receive a second dose of the vaccine later this week, in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's authorization of the vaccine as a two-dose regimen with a 21-day interval.

"He has been practicing all guidelines laid out by the CDC and the House Attending Physician, including social distancing and wearing a mask, and received a test as soon as he was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms," Gwozdz said in a statement.

According to the CDC, it can take a few weeks for a vaccine to confer protection.

Gwozdz said Brady has "full confidence" in the vaccine's safety and effectiveness and that he is receiving outpatient treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center, per the advice of the U.S. Congress Office of Attending Physician.

Vaccines are in their fourth week of distribution in Montgomery County, which includes Brady's Eighth Congressional District.