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The Delta variant of the coronavirus reached Congress. Various reports indicate that Capitol and White House employees who are vaccinated face contagion of COVID – 13 .
“Delta variant virus has been detected in Washington, DC and in the Capitol buildings, ”said Dr. Brian P. Monahan , Capitol doctor in a memorandum quoted by the portal Daily Mail . “Several members of the staff of Congress vaccinated and a member of Congress has been infected” .
Another report from Axios indicates that among those affected there is a member of the team of the president of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (California), who tested positive after attending a reception.
Through the spokesperson Jen Psaki it was confirmed that there have been several cases of infections, due to the Delta variant , but he referred to the most recent one.
“Let me confirm that, yesterday, an official from Fully vaccinated White House tested positive for COVID – 19 off campus, ”he said. “According to our rigorous COVID protocols – the official remains off campus while waiting for a confirmatory PCR test. ”
On the case of a member of the official residence staff, it is stated who has had no contact with the president Joe Biden .
“The White House Medical Unit has conducted contact tracing interviews and determined that there are no close contacts between the directors or staff of the White House or the president,” Psaki said. “People have mild symptoms.”
He acknowledged that there could be more cases, but considered that they could be “mild”, if people are vaccinated .
“The White House is prepared for revolutionary cases with periodic tests,” he said. “This is another reminder of the effectiveness of COVID vaccines – 19 against serious illnesses or hospitalizations. ”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guide allows vaccinated people to completely stop wearing a mask in interiors, but the congressional doctor suggested that they use it.
The White House Medical Unit keeps track of infections, in order to prevent further spread , but Psaki could not confirm how many cases are registered.
The official said that although there is concern about the new variant, the cases in general are mild if people are completely vaccinated, which is why he highlighted the Biden Administration plan.
“When the president took office he knew that their number one priority would be to control the pandemic, “said Psaki. “ When he took office, there were more than 190, 000 COVID cases and 3, 000 deaths per day. We are now in about 27, 000 cases (up to date) and 220 deaths per day “.
He acknowledged that efforts against the pandemic will continue, seeking to expand vaccination and recover the economy.