- Gov.
Greg Abbott ofTexas tested positive forCOVID-19 on Tuesday, his spokesman said. - The governor's office said he was asymptomatic and receiving monoclonal-antibody treatment.
- Abbott has banned mask mandates in Texas, even as the pandemic has worsened in his state.
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas announced on Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. His spokesperson said he was fully vaccinated.
-Elizabeth Findell (@efindell) August 17, 2021
"The Governor has been testing daily, and today was the first positive test result," Mark Miner, Abbott's communications director, said in a press release. "The Governor will isolate in the Governor's Mansion and continue to test daily."
Read more: Governors of all 50 states are vaccinated against COVID-19
Miner said Abbott had been vaccinated against COVID-19 and was "currently experiencing no symptoms." He added that Abbott was receiving Regeneron's monoclonal-antibody treatment.
Abbott has banned mask mandates in Texas, despite a worsening outbreak driven by the Delta variant of COVID-19.
On Monday evening, a video showed the governor appearing at a crowded meeting of the Republican Club at Heritage Ranch. Almost no masks were visible.
-Texans for Abbott (@AbbottCampaign) August 17, 2021
Abbott has fought against COVID-19 protections in recent months. He issued an executive order in May to prevent businesses and public schools from upholding mask or vaccine mandates. County judges attempted to bypass Abbott's orders, but the Texas Supreme Court sided with Abbott and is forcing the counties to comply.