Sen. Raphael Warnock Tests Positive For COVID-19, Encourages Vaccinations

BUCKHEAD, GA — U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia has tested positive for COVID-19.

He shared the news in a statement posted on social media. Warnock said he learned of the result Thursday during a routine test after he voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.

“I’m so thankful to be both vaccinated & boosted, and at the advice of the Attending Physician I plan to isolate,” he said on Twitter. “If you haven’t gotten your shot yet, I encourage you to do so.”

Warnock was not wearing a mask in photos taken Thursday at Brown Jackson's confirmation vote which that showed him speaking with Vice President Kamala Harris, Axios reported.

According to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, the senator also shared a similar statement with members of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he serves as the head pastor.

In it, he said he is “doing just fine.”

Warnock is self-isolating in Washington, reported the AJC.

The senator was on the Senate floor earlier Thursday to vote on the historic confirmation of Judge Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court as its first Black woman to serve as a justice, reported The Hill.

Warnock is one of several members of Congress, and staffers in the Biden administration, who have recently tested positive for COVID. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), released her positive result late Thursday.

Collins was among those who attended last weekend’s Gridiron Club dinner in Washington, D.C., which has so far reported more than three dozen cases among attendees to the event, Deadline.com reported. In a message sent to members on Thursday evening, the club said 37 positive tests are tied to guests. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who also attended, said they had tested positive.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also has COVID, and has reported no symptoms while she quarantines.