Nehls now is latest in Congress to catch COVID-19
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls is the latest member of Congress to contract COVID-19.
The Sugar Land Republican and former Fort Bend County sheriff told his Facebook followers Saturday that he was experiencing symptoms after a close family member had become ill with COVID earlier in the week. He tested positive and Saturday started receiving the Regeneron monoclonal antibody treatment that Gov. Greg Abbott also received earlier in the week to avoid more serious complications of the virus.
“It took a little over an hour to complete, but we’re already starting to feel better,” said Nehls, who is in his first year in Congress after winning the Fort Bend County-based 22nd Congressional District.
Just in the last few weeks, several members of the U.S. House and Senate have tested positive. Sens Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; Angus King, I-Maine; and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., are among those who tested positive this month, according to public reports.
Reps. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler; Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands; and Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, also
tested positive for COVID in the last year. Rep. Ron Wright, R-Fort Worth, tested positive and died this year. He had been battling cancer.
As part of Abbott’s response to the latest COVID surge, he has been opening up monoclonal antibody treatment centers around the state. The centers use Regeneron’s monoclonal antibodies to treat patients at no cost with therapeutic drugs that can prevent their condition from worsening and requiring hospital care. Patients need a referral from a doctor to receive the treatment.
The state has already opened treatment centers in Austin, Conroe, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Harlingen, Laredo, Lubbock and Odessa. Beaumont is expected to get one Monday.
Abbott said getting people treated in those centers is freeing up hospital beds for COVID patients as the state nears a record high since the pandemic began.
Nehls, 53, lauded the staff at St. Michael’s Elite Care and is touting the antibody treatments to help keep people from getting the worst of COVID.
“If you’re suffering from a COVID-19 infection, I’d recommend contacting your physician to see if this treatment is right for you,” Nehls said on his social media accounts.
Nehls said he will quarantine at home until recovered. He said he was vaccinated and encourages others to get shots, too.