Hospitalized with COVID, West slams vaccine mandates

Conservative firebrand and Texas gubernatorial candidate Allen West says he's been hospitalized with COVID-19.

But, even though he's infected, he's still standing firm against vaccine mandates.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, West wrote "I can attest that, after this experience, I am even more dedicated to fighting against vaccine mandates."

The 60-year-old West served as chair of the Republican Party of Texas for less than a year before stepping down in June.

A former one-term Florida congressman, he is now campaigning to unseat Texas' Republican Governor Greg Abbott in 2022.

West said he was receiving monoclonal antibody treatment and his condition was improving, although there were still "concerns of COVID-related pneumonia."

He added that his wife Angela, who was vaccinated but also hospitalized with the virus at the same time, has since been allowed to go home.