Two weeks after the beginning of the 2021 Mississippi Legislative Session, two lawmakers have tested positive for COVID-19.
Originally reported by Mississippi Today and confirmed by News Mississippi, a Senate member contracted the virus, promoting leadership to notify the Department of Health.
“We have been notified that a Senator has tested positive for COVID. We immediately contacted Dr. Dobbs, and are following his protocol,” Leah Rupp Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff for Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, said.
Mississippi Today also reports that the House learned of a positive case earlier in the week. The lawmakers have not been identified and it appears that additional testing efforts are underway.
Last summer, a COVID-19 outbreak at the capitol resulted in over 40 positive cases. Prior to the beginning of this year’s session, Lt. Governor Hosesmann discussed the possibility of a delay, allowing the vaccine rollout to ramp up before gaveling in but others chose to press on as planned.
