Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Tests Positive For COVID-19

Austin TX

17 August, 2021

5:26 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive for COVID-19, the governor's office announced Tuesday. The Governor's Communications Director, Mark Miner, issued the statement after 4 p.m. and said the governor has been testing daily and is in constant communication with his staff, agency heads and government officials. "Governor Abbott is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in good health, and currently experiencing no symptoms," the statement said. "Everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with today has been notified. Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott tested negative." Honor to meet with @JimmieVaughan—brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan and a legendary Texas musician in his own right. Hope to catch your show in September at the @ErwinCenter. pic.twitter.com/QNv4K8JmhT— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 17, 2021 Two hours prior to the notice, Abbott tweeted a picture of him with Jimmie Vaughan, the brother of Texas music legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. Both men were not wearing masks in the photo. According to Abbott's campaign "Texans For Abbott," the governor attended the Republican Club at Heritage Ranch meeting in Austin, which was filled with dozens of people, who all appeared to not be wearing masks. Abbott took to Twitter on Tuesday to update Texans that he tested positive for COVID-19. "As you may have heard, I have Covid. Right now I have no symptoms such as fever or aches and pains.Thanks for the well wishes from around the country," he said in the tweet. "I will remain engaged every day to govern the great state of Texas. God bless you all, and God bless Texas." The governor's positive test comes after he has received national attention for his refusal to issue a state authorized mask mandate as coronavirus cases surge across the Lone Star State. Last week, the governor said he has taken additional actions to mitigate the recent rise in COVID-19 cases by recruiting and deploying over 2,500 medical personnel from out-of-state, opening additional antibody infusion centers, and increasing vaccine availability across the state. .@GregAbbott_TX is at the Republican Club at Heritage Ranch meeting tonight! pic.twitter.com/oIuabG72lU— Texans for Abbott (@AbbottCampaign) August 17, 2021 MORE: Texas Officials Plead With Abbott To Rescind Mask Executive Order But while the state has seen an influx in cases and hospitals have capped available ICU beds, Abbott's office told Patch on Friday that he will not issue a mandate. His reason: Texans have learned and mastered the safe practices to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, and do not need the government to tell them how to do so. As Abbott receives treatment for the virus, the Texas Tribune reports he alongside Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the state's supreme court on Tuesday to disallow mask mandates in Texas schools. The governor also asked to overrule a Travis County judge, who allowed mask mandates to proceed in any school district in the state. As you may have heard, I have Covid. Right now I have no symptoms such as fever or aches and pains. Thanks for the well wishes from around the country. I will remain engaged every day to govern the great state of Texas. God bless you all, and God bless Texas. pic.twitter.com/kbYPt1FpNj— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 17, 2021 MORE: Mask Mandate Issued In Austin-Travis County, Defying Gov's Ban The Governor's Press Secretary Renae Eze told Patch on Friday the assertion that the Governor doesn't have the authority to protect the rights and freedoms of Texans is just "plain misguided." Eze said removing government mandates, does not end personal responsibility or the importance of caring for family members, friends and their community. At the same time, the state reported 20,123 new cases and 96 deaths on Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. RELATED COVERAGE: Across Texas, Frantic Parents Search For Options To Keep Kids Safe In School 'The Rebellion Is Spreading': After Local Texas Officials Defy Mask Mandate Ban, Abbott Begins To Clamp Down 2 Austin Eateries Backtrack On Vaccine Proof After State Warning