Nine House Democrats test positive for COVID-19

Nine House Democrats have tested positive this week for COVID-19, following last week's caucus retreat in Philadelphia, and more than two weeks after the Capital mask mandate was eliminated.

Many members and staffers from both parties have opted not to continue wearing masks around the Capitol complex, and many Democrats shed the face coverings at the retreat.

The decision was first made just two days prior to President Joe Biden's inaugural State of the Union Address as a way to demonstrate how far the administration has come in its battle with the virus. Attendees were, however, required to test negative within 24-hours of the address. 

Most of the nine – Reps. Jared Golden of Maine; Madeleine Dean, of Pennsylvania;  Kimberly Schrier, of Washington;  Zoe Lofgren, of California; Rosa DeLauro, of Connecticut; Gerry Connolly, of Virginia;  Andy Kim, of New Jersey; Joe Neguse, of Colorado; and Peter Welch, of Vermont; have announced they are vaccinated and boosted and experiencing only mild symptoms.

Not every lawmaker who tested positive was in attendance at the Philadelphia caucus retreat.