Senator Lindsey Graham has a breakthrough Covid infection, according to him.

Senator Lindsey Graham has a breakthrough Covid infection, according to him.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina stated on Monday that he had tested positive for Covid-19 but had had moderate symptoms, which he ascribed to the vaccination.

Mr. Graham, a Republican, remarked on Twitter, "I am extremely pleased I got vaccinated because I am confident I would not feel as good as I do today if I had not been vaccinated." “It would make my symptoms a lot worse.” 

I was just informed by the House physician I have tested positive for #COVID19 even after being vaccinated.

I started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor this morning.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 2, 2021

Mr. Graham stated that he will be quarantined for ten days.

Infections among vaccinated persons have grown more prevalent, but they remain uncommon within the vaccinated population, as the Delta variety continues to spread rapidly over areas of the nation. 

Experts claim that the vaccinations presently in use in the United States offer substantial protection against serious disease and death, even when infections with the Delta form are present. Over 97 percent of patients who have recently been hospitalized with Covid-19 have not been immunized.

Both on Capitol Hill and at the White House, breakthrough instances were reported last week. Despite being vaccinated, at least six Texas Democrats, a White House assistant, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi aide reported testing positive.

A handful of Republicans in Congress, notably in the House, have refused to take the vaccine and have refused to wear masks or other protective gear. Mr. Graham, on the other hand, has pushed fans to be vaccinated and has spoken out against viral misinformation.

Mr. Graham's statement sparked fears that other Senate colleagues may have been exposed as a result of recent communication with Mr. Graham.

Senators gathered on “Almost Heaven,” a houseboat owned by Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, on Saturday, according to Mr. Graham's office. A photograph circulated over the weekend showed senators socializing on the boat as it navigated the waters around Washington. 

Mr. Manchin, who tested negative on Monday, said of the gathering, "There was no celebration." “All we were trying to do was keep people together. Everything we do is done in a nonpartisan manner.”

At least a half-dozen more senators reaffirmed their support, including South Dakota Senator John Thune, the chamber's No. 2 Republican.

Ryan Wrasse, Mr. Thune's spokesperson, said his boss had been vaccinated and had tested negative on Monday afternoon. Other senators were awaiting results but came to the Senate floor to vote.

The revelation of Mr. Graham's positive test — and the prospect that more of his colleagues have been exposed — added a layer of uncertainty to a week that was already shaping up to be a watershed moment on Capitol Hill, as the Senate prepares to vote on a major bipartisan infrastructure plan.

Mr. Graham has been a backer of the plan, and his sickness might cost the Republicans a vote on final approval if he is gone for a long time. However, if others fall ill or must be quarantined, party leaders may be compelled to cancel meetings, postpone votes, or call a special session of the Senate, as they did in similar circumstances in 2020.

On Monday, Democrats replaced an in-person leadership meeting with a virtual one. Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader and a Democrat from New York, told reporters that he believes the infrastructure discussion will go as scheduled.