Florida Representative Vern Buchanan Tests Positive For Covid Despite Being Fully Vaccinated

Representative Vern Buchanan announced on Monday that he had tested positive for Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated against the virus.

The Florida Republican said he was tested after experiencing mild flu-like symptoms and was quarantined at home.

“I look forward to returning to work as soon as possible,” he said in a statement. “In the meantime, this should remind us that although vaccines offer a very high degree of protection, we must remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19. ”

Why is this important: More than 185 million people have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, including more than 160 million who are fully vaccinated. Yet, although rare, it is still possible to contract the coronavirus after being vaccinated.

In Florida, about 54 percent of state residents over the age of 12 are fully immunized. But the state has also recently seen an increase in coronavirus cases. Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus coordinator, said last week that Florida accounts for nearly one in five new infections nationwide.

Florida recorded more than 46,000 new cases from July 9 to 15, almost double the previous week.

Buchanan’s case follows news this weekend that five Texas lawmakers who traveled to Washington to block Republicans from pushing changes to Texas election laws have also tested positive for the virus. All five of Texas lawmakers have reportedly all been fully vaccinated.