Darren Soto

Rep. Darren Soto Darren Michael SotoBiden signs bill to designate the National Pulse Memorial in Orlando Puerto Rico's former governor stages a comeback Pulse nightclub to become a national memorial 5 years after deadly mass shooting MORE (D-Fla.) said Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, becoming the tenth member of Congress to come down with a breakthrough case in recent weeks.

Soto said that he is experiencing mild symptoms and received a monoclonal antibody treatment on Wednesday "to further reduce potential symptoms." He also said that he is self-isolating and working remotely until he recovers.

"I recently tested positive for #COVID19, and am grateful to only have mild symptoms, which I credit to the vaccine," Soto wrote on Twitter.

ADVERTISEMENT

At least 73 members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19 since last year, but about six months went by between January and July without any lawmakers announcing that they had caught the virus. Members of Congress were among the first people in the nation with access to the vaccine, as they were prioritized in December for doses under continuity-of-government policies.

But starting in July, some fully vaccinated lawmakers began experiencing breakthrough cases, although they have stressed that their symptoms likely would have been worse without the vaccine.

Since July, Reps. Vern Buchanan Vernon Gale BuchananMORE (R-Fla.), Ralph Norman Ralph Warren NormanBipartisan House group introduces legislation to set term limit for key cyber leader Sixth House GOP lawmaker issued K metal detector fine Texas congressman tests positive for coronavirus MORE (R-S.C.), Sharice Davids Sharice DavidsInterior Secretary Haaland gets married in New Mexico Anti-abortion group targets Democrats ahead of 2022 Reba McEntire announces breakthrough COVID-19 infection MORE (D-Kan.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Mike Doyle Michael (Mike) F. DoyleHouse committee approves slate of bills to improve telecom security Congress needs to fix the broken market for antibiotic development Congressional CEO grillings can't solve disinformation: We need a public interest regulator MORE (D-Pa.), as well as Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamGraham says US 'will be going back' to Afghanistan McConnell: Biden 'is not going to be removed from office' Biden's Afghanistan exit: A decision for the long term MORE (R-S.C.), Roger Wicker Roger Frederick WickerLabor Day: No justice for whistleblowers The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by AT&T - Defiant Biden defends US exit from Afghanistan Wicker says he's recovered from coronavirus MORE (R-Miss.), Angus King Angus KingWicker says he's recovered from coronavirus The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by AT&T - Twenty years after invading, US exits Afghanistan Melissa Joan Hart reveals breakthrough COVID-19 case MORE (I-Maine) and John Hickenlooper John HickenlooperWicker says he's recovered from coronavirus The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by AT&T - Twenty years after invading, US exits Afghanistan Melissa Joan Hart reveals breakthrough COVID-19 case MORE (D-Colo.), have all tested positive even though they are fully vaccinated.

In addition, two House Republicans — Reps. Clay Higgins Glen (Clay) Clay HigginsLouisiana delegation asks for additional relief funding after Ida Overnight Defense: Troops head back to Afghanistan to aid diplomatic evacuation Vaccine mandate poses major test for Pentagon chief MORE (La.) and Barry Moore (Ala.) — also announced they tested positive this summer, but it is not clear if they were vaccinated.

The Capitol physician reinstated the House mask mandate in July amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19. While nearly all lawmakers have complied with the rules in the House chamber due to the threat of a $500 fine if they don't wear a mask in that particular space, most Republicans and their staff have of late ignored the mask requirement while they are in the surrounding hallways or House office buildings.