U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper has become the latest member of Colorado’s congressional delegation to contract COVID-19.
The 69-year-old Democrat, who was vaccinated against the disease, says he tested positive after experiencing mild symptoms.
“I’m feeling much better and will continue to isolate at the direction of the Congressional Attending Physician,” he said in a written statement Thursday. “I’m grateful for the vaccine (and the scientists behind it) for limiting my symptoms and allowing us to continue our work for Colorado.”
He added: “If you haven’t been vaccinated, don’t wait for the virus — get the shot today, and a booster when it’s available too!”
Other members of Colorado’s congressional delegation to catch COVID-19 include U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican, and Ed Perlmutter, an Arvada Democrat.
Lamborn and Perlmutter fell ill with the disease last year before vaccines were available.
Congress is currently on its August recess. Colorado’s coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have been rising for several weeks because of the spread of the delta variant.
Hickenlooper was elected to the Senate in November and took office in January. He served as Colorado’s governor for two terms before briefly running for president and then, with his presidential campaign was floundering, jumping over to Colorado’s Senate race.