U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley Tests Positive For COVID-19

BOSTON, MA — U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19, the congresswoman said in a statement released Friday. Pressley is vaccinated and also received a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, she said.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Pressley said she tested positive after experiencing "COVID-like symptoms" Friday morning.

"Thankfully, my symptoms are relatively mild, and I am grateful to be fully vaccinated and boosted," she said in her statement. "I am currently isolating and following all health protocols in order to mitigate further spread and keep my loved ones and community safe."

In her statement, Pressley also asked others to get vaccinated.

"Vaccines save lives," she said. "I encourage everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated, boosted and masking up."

On Thursday, Massachusetts reported more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases for the first time ever as coronavirus metrics continue to surge across the state.

The positive rate rose above 16 percent for the first time since May 2020, although hospitalizations and deaths remain below the worst levels of last winter.

Over three-quarters of Massachusetts communities reported rising positive test rates over the last two weeks, according to town-by-town data released Thursday. Just seven Massachusetts cities and towns reported positive rates below 2 percent, with four reporting zero positive tests over the last two weeks.

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