Kamala Harris’ Walter Reed Visit Was For Routine Checkup, Not Related To COVID-19 Outbreak

by Dongyoon ShinJuly 19, 2021, 6:23 pmCongress, Daily Digest, News, News Feed >

Vice President Kamala Harris‘s visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday was for a routine checkup, the White House said.

Harris’ Sunday medical appointment raised concerns about whether it was due to her meeting last week with the two Texas Democratic legislators who tested positive for COVID-19.

Following the reports, Symone Sanders, a chief spokesperson for the vice president, said in a statement that Harris and her staff weren’t “in close contact” with those lawmakers who tested positive.

“Earlier today, it was brought to our attention that two of the members at that meeting tested positive for COVID-19,” Sanders said in a statement. “Based on the timeline of these positive tests, it was determined the Vice President and her staff present at the meeting were not at risk of exposure because they were not in close contact with those who tested positive and therefore do not need to be tested or quarantined.

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“The Vice President and her staff are fully vaccinated,” Sanders added.

Phillip Martin, Executive Director at Texas House Democratic Caucus, said Saturday that three of Texas Democratic lawmakers got COVID-19 while staying in the Capitol. More than 50 Texas House Democrats fled to D.C. this week to block a new law that Republicans have proposed that would impose new voting restrictions.

State Rep. Chris Turner (D-Texas), caucus chairman, also released a statement, saying that the caucus is “following all CDC guidelines and protocols.”

Texas Republicans have criticized Democratic counterparts for leaving their state and failing to serve their constituents. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has warned the Democrats that they will be arrested when they return to Texas in August.

According to the CDC guidelines, people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive for the COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and don’t show any symptoms.