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Update: Five Texas House Democrats who traveled to Washington D.C. test positive for COVID-19

Up to five Texas House Democrats have tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Washington D.C.
This article was updated at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 18, to include more who have tested positive for the virus.
Five of the nearly 60 House Democrats who left the Capitol for Washington, D.C. amid a legislative walkout have tested positive for COVID-19.
The lawmakers, who traveled out of state to break quorum on Gov. Greg Abbott's special legislative session, were all fully vaccinated. One is showing symptoms.
The Texas House Democratic Caucus announced that one member of the traveling crew tested positive on Friday evening, spurring on a mass rapid test rollout among the remaining lawmakers. Two more legislators tested positive with the rapid antigen tests on Saturday, and two more followed on Sunday evening.
Two more House Dems in DC have tested positive for COVID, per @TexasHDC. Both were fully vaccinated. #txlegepic.twitter.com/IbiwKhBDC5
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) July 19, 2021
All members show no or mild symptoms, and the Democratic Caucus said they would begin administering daily COVID tests following the positive test results. Those with COVID will take the more accurate PCR test and will quarantine for 10 days before testing once more, the Austin-American Statesman reported.
While the HDC did not disclose which representatives tested positive, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer released a statement after his positive result.
.@TMFtx says he tested positive today: pic.twitter.com/i3XHStjdQ0
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) July 19, 2021
Fischer thanked those who wished the lawmakers well and stood by the House Democrats' decision to leave Abbott's special session amid a new voter restriction bill.
Just as these new variants sweeping the country are more aggressive than ever, the wave of anti-voter legislation is worse than we've seen in generations," Fischer said. "That's why I will continue the fight for voting rights with every fiber of my being."
The remaining members of the group, who are mostly staying at the same hotel, said they will follow CDC guidance and begin utilizing more masks and other safety precautions, which were used sparingly on the trip before the positive test results. Because all members have been vaccinated, other lawmakers who came into contact with the trio will only isolate if they begin to show symptoms as per CDC protocol, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Rep. Chris Turner said in a statement.
The news comes as Travis County once again ramped up risk-based guidelines following a spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations. Austin Public Health officials at least partially blame the spike on the highly-contagious Delta variant which has been found in the county.
While vaccines can help curb complications and positive COVID-19 tests, Turner acknowledged that the tests prove threat of the virus has not been completely erased.
"This is a sober reminder that COVID is still with us, and though vaccinations offer tremendous protection, we still must take necessary precautions," Turner said. "We are in touch with public health experts in Texas to provide additional guidance. Our caucus will follow all recommendations from public health experts as we continue our work."
Back in Texas, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan sent his regards to the Democratic legislators in the following statement:
"Kim and I extend our prayers for safety and health for the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who tested positive for COVID-19 while in Washington, D.C. My staff has reached out to Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, and his epidemiology team for any additional guidance on protocols for those exposed to COVID-19 post-vaccination."
New COVID cases have increased in every U.S. state as the variant becomes the dominant strain in the country. Austin was the first Texas metro to raise COVID restrictions since mask mandates were reversed by Gov. Greg Abbott in March, but other U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Las Vegas have done the same.
For more information on the recent spike of cases in Austin, click here.
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Popular
(We Are Blood/Instagram)
Communities are rallying together after an 18-year-old shot and killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Funds from organizations all around the state–including from Austin’s own Los Verdes–are being raised to support families affected by the tragedy. Here's how you can help.
Donate blood
If you are looking for ways to help, please consider donating blood. Your donation can help ensure we have supplies immediately available for the victims of this tragic shooting.
— University Health (@UnivHealthSA) May 24, 2022
Our donor room has availability the rest of the week. Please schedule online: https://t.co/0F2lKDqYzO
Austin-area residents can donate blood with We Are Blood.
South Texas Blood & Tissue was able to send a total of 25 units of blood both to the school and local hospitals to support treatment. After an emergency blood drive on Wednesday, the blood center is hosting a Memorial Day blood drive and should have appointments opening the following week.
The largest blood transfuser in the San Antonio area, the University Health System, is also asking members of the community to donate blood. Appointments may be scarce due to demand.
Donate
The Los Verdes community is heartbroken at today's senseless act of gun violence in Uvalde that ended 15 lives too early. We are currently raising funds to support the families who lost loved ones today, and you can join by donating here. https://t.co/52L1ZtbSND
— Los Verdes (@LosVerdesATX) May 24, 2022
There is a growing list of verified fundraisers through GoFundMe, where almost $2 million has been raised so far for families and victims of the tragedy.
- The VictimsFirst fundraiser is raising $2 million to provide “100% of what is collected” to the victims’ family members.
- Austin-based Los Verdes Supporter Group is raising $100,000 for the families “affected by the horrific school shooting at Robb Elementary.”
- Allison McCullough, the aunt of victim Makenna Lee Elrod, is raising $50,000 for her family.
- The Alithia Ramirez funeral fund is working on raising $8,000 for the young girl’s funeral.
- More are being added by the hour.
Additionally, both Rushing-Estes Mortuary Uvalde and Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home are offering free services to families of the victims.
Other fundraisers
An official account with First State Bank has been set up for donations through UCISD to assist the families of this tragedy.
— Uvalde CISD (@Uvalde_CISD) May 25, 2022
Please know that the FSB account, is the only verified location to make any monetary donations. No other source is currently recognized. pic.twitter.com/psQb6fD6Ls
Uvalde CISD has opened an account to support families of the victims with the First State Bank of Uvalde. Checks to donate should be made payable to the "Robb School Memorial Fund" or through Zelle at robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com.
The League of United Latin American Citizens has created a fund for victims, which it says will donate 100% to families and University Health has also organized the Uvalde Victims Relief Fund to help provide care for victims.
H-E-B has also donated $500,000 to aid victims and is collecting donations for its Spirit of Giving Fund, which supports philanthropic efforts in the wake of Texas tragedies. Starting Wednesday, shoppers at H-E-B, Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop and Mi Tienda can donate at checkout or online.(Sergio Flores/The Texas Tribune)
By Patrick Svitek
Beto O'Rourke caused a dramatic scene on Wednesday when he angrily confronted Gov. Greg Abbott at his news conference about the Uvalde school shooting, yelling, "This is on you."
After Abbott was done giving his initial remarks, O'Rourke approached the stage and told Abbott he was "doing nothing" to combat gun violence. He said the Uvalde massacre, in which a gunman killed 19 children and two adults, was "totally predictable."
Some of the Republican officials onstage with Abbott quickly denounced O'Rourke, telling him to go away. Another man onstage used expletives to criticize O'Rourke for interrupting the event. O'Rourke was eventually escorted away amid the unruly scene.
“I can’t believe that you’re a sick son of a bitch that would come to a deal like this to make a political issue,” Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin told O'Rourke at one point.
.@BetoORourke just showed up and shook things up. @statesmanpic.twitter.com/Z1FtBwUEdJ
— Luz Moreno-Lozano 🦇 (@LuzMorenoLozano) May 25, 2022