Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Corey Booker test positive for COVID-19

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Corey Booker, D-N.J., announced Sunday they have tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated and they said their symptoms are mild.

Warren shared that she tested positive for a "breakthrough case" on Sunday after testing negative earlier in the week as she is subjected to regular testing.

"Thankfully, I am only experiencing mild symptoms and am grateful for the protection provided against serious illness that comes from being vaccinated and boosted," said Warren, who lost her brother to coronavirus in May 20.

In her announcement, Warren urged others to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

"As cases increase across the country, I urge everyone who has not already done so to get the vaccine and the booster as soon as possible -- together we can save lives," she said.

Booker also tweeted Sunday he tested positive: I I learned today that I tested positive for COVID-19 after first feeling symptoms on Saturday. My symptoms are relatively mild. I'm beyond grateful to have received two doses of vaccine and, more recently, a booster -- I'm certain that without them I would be doing much worse."

Washington, D.C., posted 844 cases Saturday, its greatest number of positive in a single day since the start of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 66.9% of its population is fully vaccinated.

The home states of Booker and Warren are reporting high daily infections.

Massachusetts posted 7,070 Saturday and four days earlier a record 11,672. And 73.9% of its population is fuly vaccinated.

New Jersey's new cases Saturday were 7,397, the most since 7,880 Jan. 13 and a record 8,607 Jan. 9. The vaccination rate is 69.9%.

Fourteen other senators previouly testing positive were Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Bill Cassidy, R-La.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; John Hickenlooper, D-Col.; Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Tim Kaine, D-Va.; Angus King, I-Maine; Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga. (former); Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Rick Scott, R-Fl.; Thom Tllis, R-N.C.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.;