Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui tests positive for COVID-19

Sacramento Rep. Doris Matsui has tested positive with a breakthrough COVID-19 case, she said in a statement Wednesday.

Matsui, 77, said she tested positive despite being fully vaccinated and receiving her booster shot in September.

“I am only experiencing mild cold-like symptoms and am thankful for the protection provided by the vaccine,” the Democratic congresswoman said in a statement. “I am isolating and will continue following all of the recommendations of the House Attending Physician.”

Cases of the coronavirus have continued to increase across the U.S. and California in recent weeks as the omicron variant spreads. Data released by California health officials on Tuesday first showed the state’s 7-day positivity rate climbed from 2.4% on Dec. 14 to 9.7% on Monday.

On Wednesday, California’s test positivity rate rose to 11.2%, according to state data.

The Centers for Disease Control say breakthrough infections, or those that occur in vaccinated people, are expected. Fully vaccinated people with a breakthrough infection are less likely to develop serious illness than those who are unvaccinated, the CDC says.

“As COVID-19 cases rise across the nation, I encourage everyone who has not yet done so to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible,” Matsui said.

This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 1:32 PM.