The Rev. Jesse Jackson was hospitalized for coronavirus disease on Saturday, along with his wife Jacqueline Brown Jackson.
The two of them were “responding positively to treatments” for the virus, one of their children told The Associated Press on Sunday.
As of Sunday night, the couple remains under observation at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The doctors are “carefully monitoring their condition” because of their advanced ages, their son Jonathan Jackson stated, according to The Associated Press.
Jesse Jackson is 79, and Mrs. Brown Jackson is 77.
In 2017 Jackson spoke about being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In February he went to the hospital for gallbladder surgery after complaining of abdominal pain, reported ABC News.
Jesse Jackson received his first dose of a coronavirus vaccine on Jan. 8, according to a press release by his nonprofit, the Rainbow Push Coalition. In the press release, he urged African Americans to take the vaccine, and he spoke out against vaccine hesitancy in the Black community.
Jackson experienced a breakthrough infection. In other words, he tested positive for coronavirus despite receiving a vaccine.
Breakthrough infections are usually mild, and they are, statistically, quite rare.
In some states, the health departments collect data on breakthrough infections. According to this data, vaccinated people make up as few a 2.3 percent and as many as 20 percent of all corona cases. Vaccinated people counted for only 5.3 percent of corona deaths in Virginia, according to the state’s database. However, elderly people seem to make up a disproportionate share of breakthrough infections.
Jackson’s mentees took to Twitter to wish him a successful recovery.
Earlier this month, Jackson was arrested by Capitol Police.
He is also known for his two unsuccessful campaigns for president.
Sending strength and prayers to Rev. Jesse Jackson and his wife Jacqueline. https://t.co/dbzdr8Tnle
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) August 22, 2021
Praying for Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson. 🙏🏾
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) August 21, 2021
FLASHBACK: Jesse Jackson arrested in Arizona
The Horn editorial team