U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced Friday.
Lynch, who had already received both doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, was tested for the virus after a staff member in his Boston office tested positive earlier in the week. The congressman received his positive test Friday afternoon.
Lynch's office says that he did continue to follow COVID-19 safety protocols, such as social distancing and wearing a mask, even after receiving the vaccine.
A statement from Pfizer said that it can take seven days for protection from the second dose to kick in. However, the statement from Lynch's office said the congressman received the second dose vaccine before attending President Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20, nine days before his positive test.
Lynch, who represents the state's 8th Congressional District, also tested negative for COVID-19 prior to the inauguration.
"While Mr. Lynch remains asymptomatic and feels fine, he will self-quarantine and will vote by proxy in Congress during the coming week," Molly Rose Tarpey, Lynch's communications director, said in a statement.
Lynch is the second congressional member from Massachusetts to test positive for COVID-19 in two days; Rep. Lori Trahan, a fellow Democrat, announced her test result Thursday.
