Turner tests positive for COVID-19: 'I will spend the next several days isolating myself'

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tested positive for COVID-19, but has mild symptoms. 

He announced his positive test on Twitter on Dec. 17, saying, "This afternoon, I learned that I tested positive for the virus that causes #COVID19. I was not feeling well overnight and thought I was suffering from allergies or a sinus infection, so I decided to get tested before starting my daily schedule. Before and after getting my test results, I canceled all events for today and the weekend. My symptoms are mild, and I will spend the next several days isolating myself at home and getting some rest."

Turner's office released a statement Dec. 17 regarding the positive test result.

According to KHOU, the mayor is fully vaccinated and has received his booster shot. The mayor and his team are optimistic that he will make a fast recovery given these facts. 

Dr. David Persse, of the Houston Health Authority, said that the mayor's case should be considered yet another datapoint that vaccines work.

“He says he’s feeling pretty good," Persse said. "He does have some mild symptoms but other than that he’s feeling pretty good and I really want to thank the mayor because he did everything right. As soon as he got symptoms, he reached out. We were able to get him tested right away, got the test results back, he isolated himself as soon as he started feeling poorly and has been isolated ever since.”

Infections continue to surge in the Houston area. The city, in conjunction with the Texas Children's Hospital, is hosting a vaccine clinic for families in an attempt to increase the vaccination rate in the area.