U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan tested positive for COVID-19 — even though he is vaccinated — and is quarantining at his home.

Ryan, D-Howland, announced Monday he had a COVID-19 breakthrough case.

“While I’m currently experiencing mild symptoms, I’m grateful to have the protection of a safe and effective vaccine, and I know without it, this illness could be much, much worse,” he said.

Ryan said he tested negative for COVID-19 three times in the last 10 days before Monday’s positive test.

Ryan said he will continue his congressional duties by voting remotely until he can safely return to Washington, D.C.

“What we have learned over the last year and a half is that we are in this together, and I urge all Ohioans to help us crush this pandemic by wearing a mask and getting vaccinated so that we can get back to normal,” he said.

“I’d like to extend my deepest thanks to Mercy Health who treated me and health care workers across Ohio who are fighting COVID-19 on the front lines every day. You are the true heroes of this pandemic.”

Ryan, who is running for the U.S. Senate next year, was to have a fundraiser for that campaign Saturday at a private residence in Poland.

The fundraiser will either be rescheduled or held virtually, said Christopher Anderson of Boardman, one of the event’s hosts and head of the Ohio Young Democrats.

“Unfortunately, breakthrough cases happen,” he said. “I’m glad Tim’s symptoms are mild.”

When the event was going to be in-person, Anderson said, those attending would have been required to be vaccinated, and the hosts were going to follow all guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ryan received national attention when he criticized House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s July 28 complaints about the CDC’s recommendations for wearing face masks on the House floor as the delta variant of the virus was spreading. That recommendation led the U.S. Capitol’s attending physician, Congress’ top doctor, to require House members to again wear masks even though some Republicans refused to comply.

“I just find it absolutely immature and appalling to somehow diminish (COVID-19) to try to score cheap political points and that’s exactly what we saw a few minutes ago,” Ryan said on the House floor. “That is beneath a minority leader of one of the major political parties in the United States of America saying we should take no caution.”

He added: “Just stop with this craziness. We’re trying to be safe, trying to protect our family members, our kids, our parents, close relatives, and the minority leader mocks that, mocks it and mocks the top doctor.”

Ryan said of masks at the time: “I hate these things. It’s terrible having to put this back on. We do it because the top doctor for all of us asks us to.”

dskolnick@vindy.com