Mace tests positive for COVID-19 a second time

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) announced on Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19, adding to a growing number of lawmakers who have contracted the virus recently.

"After one of my children tested positive for COVID-19 this morning, I decided to also get tested. I tested positive. This is now my second time having COVID - and I'm fully vaccinated," Mace said in a statement.

"I'm feeling ok. This is more mild than the first time. I'm completing quarantine and working from home as I recover. We are all frustrated with our common enemy COVID-19. I am praying everyone can stay healthy and we can all get past this soon," she added.

In addition to Mace, Reps. Ben Cline (R-Va.) and John Katko (R-N.Y.), both of whom are vaccinated, announced on Monday that they tested positive for the virus. They are among a spate of lawmakers to contract the virus in recent days.

Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Young Kim (R-Calif.) announced breakthrough cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who is also vaccinated, said she tested positive on Sunday.

A breakthrough infection occurs when the person testing positive for COVID-19 is vaccinated.

The infections among lawmakers come as the highly contagious omicron variant sweeps across the U.S. The new variant was first detected late last year in South Africa, and early studies have indicated that it tends to be milder and cause fewer hospitalizations than the delta variant.