COVID-19 infections spiking in US Capitol

COVID-19 infections spiking in US Capitol Coronavirus infections in the U.S. Nathaniel Weixel TheHill

Coronavirus infections in the U.S. Capitol have skyrocketed, with the seven-day average positivity rate rising from less than 1 percent to greater than 13 percent, according to a memo sent to lawmakers Monday from Capitol physician Brian Monahan.

According to Monahan, the daily case rates will increase even more substantially in the coming weeks. Dozens of infections are discovered daily, and the cases represent both a rising rate of "breakthrough infections" among mostly vaccinated individuals as well as cases in several unvaccinated individuals.

The increase in cases at the Capitol corresponds to a historic spike in the greater Washington, D.C., region as the highly contagious omicron variant spreads. According to Monahan, omicron represents approximately 61 percent of positive tests, and the delta virus variant represents 38 percent. ...