Mississippi lieutenant governor tests positive for COVID-19

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann (R) has tested positive for COVID-19 in a breakthrough case.

Hosemann’s diagnosis came just one day after the opening day of a legislative session when he and many others were walking around the state Capitol unmasked, according to The Associated Press. 

“Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann tested positive for Covid-19 this morning,” his office said on Wednesday, per the AP. “He currently has no symptoms and has been double vaccinated and boosted.”

The statement added that Hosemann is isolating for five days per the recommendation of both the state health officer and federal guidance.

“The Office of the Lt. Governor is in the process of notifying those who may have been exposed,” his office said.

Spokeswoman Leah Rupp Smith said that Hosemann was tested on Tuesday afternoon after learning he was exposed to COVID-19 and received his test results Wednesday morning, the AP reported.

During summer of 2020, the 74-year-old had COVID-19 and has said he had difficulty walking at that time due to the shortness of breath, the wire service added.

The Mississippi State Department of Health’s most recent data reported 4,840 new cases and 37 deaths on Monday. Over the four-day holiday weekend, the state reported 17,525 cases and 5 deaths. 

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) also tested positive for the virus this week. Patrick’s symptoms were mild and no one else in his household was infected as of Monday.