(AP) — Veteran Hawaiʻi State Sen. Kalani English says he will retire on May 1 after being diagnosed with long-term effects of COVID-19. English says he contracted the disease while traveling outside Hawaʻii with family in November. His symptoms at the time were mild, but he noticed pervasive lethargy, memory challenges and “fogginess” in his thinking when he returned home. English said in a statement he’s been diagnosed as a “long-hauler” and will need to address challenges to his short- and long-term memory and other cognitive issues. The Democrat is currently the Senate majority leader. He was first elected to the Senate in 2000.

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