Abbott: COVID seven-day positivity rate has declined 'for two straight weeks'

Though he himself recently tested positive for COVID-19, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) claimed the virus is winding down while new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Pfizer vaccine could render his ban on mandatory vaccinations obsolete.

Abbott, who had been vaccinated and treated for the illness, had shown no major symptoms and tested negative on Aug. 21, according to a Yahoo report. He has been an outspoken opponent of face mask mandates by government agencies and school districts.

“The COVID seven-day positivity rate has now declined for two straight weeks,” Abbott said in a tweet. “It topped out on Aug. 9 at 18.72%. Since then it has steadily declined to 15.76%. States hit earliest with delta (variant) are now seeing a decline in COVID cases. Texas may soon see a similar decline in cases.”

COVID and its delta variant has been spiking in Texas in recent weeks and available hospital beds have been stretched thin. A number of school districts across the state have defied Abbott’s orders not to impose mask restrictions.

The Yahoo report said 13,000 cases of the virus were reported as of Aug. 21, a level not seen since January.

Nevertheless, Abbott maintained that recent declining numbers of cases in the state looks hopeful.    

Abbott said his mild condition was a result of being vaccinated.

“I encourage others who have not yet received the vaccination to consider getting one,” he said in a Twitter video clip.

Another Texas Republican, Rep. Roy Nehls from Houston, also tested positive for the coronavirus and told Yahoo that his symptoms had been mild as he had also received a vaccination.

“All Americans are free to make their own health decisions,” Nehls said in a tweet and quoted in Yahoo. “But I strongly encourage getting vaccinated. It is scientifically proven to drastically reduce the risk of severe illness and death from COVID.”

In July, Abbott prohibited vaccine mandates by government agencies and school districts in an executive order. According to a report in Insider, the order depends on the vaccine being issued as an “emergency measure” by the FDA.

FDA official approval of the Pfizer vaccine on Aug. 23 could render Abbott’s order unenforceable, the report said.