Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver tests positive for COVID-19 in breakthrough infection

WASHINGTON Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver announced Wednesday evening that he tested positive for COVID-19 in a breakthrough infection as the Omicron variant of the disease surges across the country.

“This afternoon, I tested positive for COVID-19,” Cleaver said in a statement. “While I am experiencing very minor cold-like symptoms, because I am vaccinated and boosted, I am confident that I will be protected from severe illness.”

Cleaver said he he will isolate and work remotely in the meantime. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a rule early in the pandemic that allows members to vote by proxy, making it easier for them to continue to work remotely. The House is in recess next week.

Cleaver’s positive diagnosis comes as health departments have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of positive cases, to the point where Kansas’ Department of Public Health announced this week that it would stop contact tracing.

Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article257519669.html