Texas governor tests positive for coronavirus

ANKARA

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has sought to ban mask mandates, has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office announced Tuesday.

Abbott is fully vaccinated and "in good health, and currently experiencing no symptoms," it said in a statement.

"The governor has been testing daily, and today was the first positive test result," it said, adding he will isolate in the Governor's Mansion and continue to test daily.

Abbott is receiving Regeneron's monoclonal antibody treatment and is "in constant communication with his staff, agency heads, and government officials to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently."

Meanwhile, Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott tested negative.

Texas is one of the worst-hit states by COVID-19 with more than 16,760 daily cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.