By Lauren Proudfoot
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced via his Instagram page Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 that morning.
Cal Harris, the mayor’s director of communications, released a statement Monday afternoon saying the mayor is doing well but will not return to City Hall until doctors tell him he can end his quarantine.
“Mayor Scott tested positive for COVID-19 late this morning and is currently self-isolating at his home in Northeast Baltimore,” Harris said. “The mayor is asymptomatic and currently feels fine. He will work remotely until he is officially cleared to return to City Hall.”
Harris says Scott’s test results came back negative last Friday, but he said the mayor received two positive tests Monday.
Harris said Scott is working with city health officials on contact tracing so that those who attended an outdoor event with Scott over the weekend are notified of the situation.
“This serves as another reminder of the vast challenges faced by the ongoing global pandemic,” Harris said in the statement. “Despite being vaccinated and following Baltimore City’s health protocols, breakthrough infections are a real threat.”
The mayor could be facing more serious complications from the disease had he not been vaccinated, Harris said. He used the news of Scott’s positive test to remind Baltimore residents that they should get inoculated.
The mayor received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on March 17, 2021, according to his Instagram page.
City Council member Zeke Cohen, D-First District, tweeted that he had been with Scott during the annual Parade of Nations in Michigan late last month. He said he had tested negative for COVID-19 and will retest in a few days.
“Today, Mayor Scott tested positive for COVID19,” Cohen said. “He is not experiencing symptoms, but let’s wish him a speedy recovery.”
Other residents also wished the mayor well via social media.
Instagram account @nevillefgw said, “Get well soon, Mayor Scott!” followed by a red heart emoji. Another Instagram user, @sweetsmithbaker, offered to bake cookies for the mayor. “Need cookies? get well soon!” The post included a cookie emoji.
“The mayor regularly gets tested for COVID-19 to safeguard the health of City Hall colleagues and Baltimoreans he meets in the community,” Harris said in his statement to the public.