3 Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block GOP bills tested positive for COVID-19 in Washington, DC

<p><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/60f35c117b0ec5001800aa79-2400/Capitol.jpg" border="0" alt="Capitol" data-mce-source="Al Drago/Getty Images"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>Three Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday while in Washington, DC, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement Saturday.</p><p>The lawmakers fled Texas in a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/texas-democrats-walking-out-leaving-state-to-block-gop-bills-2021-7">dramatic walkout</a> earlier this week to block a number of Republican bills from passing in a legislative special session. They said they were heading to the nation's capital to pressure Congress to pass voting rights bills.</p><p>In a statement provided to Insider, the caucus said the members, who have not been identified, were fully vaccinated.</p><p>After one tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, other members of the delegation were given rapid tests. Two more tested positive on Saturday.</p><p><em><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-staffers-toxic-office-culture-dysfunction-2021-7" data-e2e-name="inline-read-more-link">Ex-Kamala Harris staffers have bad memories of a toxic culture in her past offices and are texting each other about it</a></em></p><p>"The House Democratic Caucus is following all CDC guidance and protocols. This is a sober reminder that COVID is still with us, and though vaccinations offer tremendous protection, we still must take necessary precautions," Rep. Chris Turner, chairman of the caucus, said in a statement. "We are in touch with public health experts in Texas to provide additional guidance. Our caucus will follow all recommendations from public health experts as we continue our work."</p><p>It is possible to test positive for COVID-19 after getting fully vaccinated. Known as "breakthrough" infections, cases like these are typically mild and possibly less contagious, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/people-who-got-covid-after-vaccine-describe-mild-breakthrough-illness-2021-5">Insider's Andrea Michelson and Mia de Graaf</a>&nbsp;previously reported.</p><p>According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html#anchor_1617376555813">CDC</a>, while the risk of contracting the virus while vaccinated is low, vaccinated people who experience COVID-19 symptoms should isolate themselves from others and get clinically evaluated and tested. Vaccinated people without symptoms do not need to isolate or get tested after possible exposure.</p><p>Vice President Kamala Harris met with members of the caucus Tuesday. In a <a href="https://twitter.com/davidshepardson/status/1416520799188619266's=20">statement</a>, her spokesperson said she was not in close contact with the members who tested positive and therefore does not need to be tested or quarantined.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/3-texas-democrats-fled-state-block-gop-got-covid-19-2021-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-run-hide-earthquake-occurs-2017-6">Where you should go to stay safe during an earthquake</a></p>
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