New York state’s health commissioner tested positive for a breakthrough coronavirus infection on Monday and “left the office immediately” to avoid the possibility of spreading COVID-19 to other top officials, Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed Monday.
Dr. Mary Bassett “tested positive through a COVID rapid test,” Hochul said at the start of an afternoon news conference at her Manhattan office.
“Everyone who sees me is tested, or all the team that comes through here is tested every day,” Hochul said.
“We’re following the strict protocols.”
Bassett — who’d been scheduled to join Hochul at the news conference — will “be having another, PCR test just to confirm” the results of the rapid test, the governor said.
“So, in the meantime, we’re going to take all the necessary precautions and she left the office immediately and we’re just waiting for those results,” she said.
Hochul added, “Of course, [Bassett] is vaccinated and boosted so this would be a breakthrough case but she’s feeling fine.”
The startling disclosure came just hours after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he’d joined the ranks of public officials who’ve tested positive for the coronavirus despite having “been vaccinated and boosted.”