2 US congressmen announce they have tested positive for COVID-19
The fast-moving coronavirus has reached Capitol Hill.
Two congressmen tested positive as the pandemic continued its indiscriminate spread across the country, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, 58, a Florida Republican, was the first member of Congress with a known positive test, which he announced Wednesday, according to The Associated Press.
I'm feeling much better. However, it's important that everyone take this seriously and follow @CDCgov guidelines in order to avoid getting sick & mitigate the spread of this virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times. pic.twitter.com/g5W5vSQIyH
— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) March 18, 2020
“On Saturday evening, Congressman Diaz-Balart developed symptoms including a fever and headache,” his office said, according to the Times. “Just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19.”
Diaz-Balart issued a statement Wednesday and said he is doing OK, the Times reported.
“I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better. However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus.”
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Later, Rep. Ben McAdams, a Utah Democrat, announced his own diagnosis. McAdams said he has been isolated at home since Sunday but is still working.
“On Saturday evening, after returning from Washington D.C., I developed mild cold-like symptoms,” McAdams said in a statement on Twitter. “In consultation with my doctor on Sunday, I immediately isolated myself in my home. I have been conducting all meetings by telephone. My symptoms got worse and I developed a fever, a dry cough and labored breathing and I remained self-quarantined” before getting tested, he wrote.
Please read my statement on contracting #COVID19. I have self-quarantined since first having symptoms and consulted with my doctor. #utpol pic.twitter.com/upx4NcTvF8
— Rep. Ben McAdams (@RepBenMcAdams) March 19, 2020
“I urge Utahns to take this seriously and follow the health recommendations we’re getting from the CDC and other health experts so we can recover from this public health threat,” McAdams said, according to the Times.
Congress is in recess.
About 15 lawmakers, including Diaz-Balart and McAdams, remain self-quarantined after coming into contact with infected people.
They include Sen. Ted Cruz, who is self-quarantined, and Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Doug Collins of Georgia, who are also isolated after coming into contact with the virus at the conservative CPAC conference last week, according to the Times.
Sen. Lindsey Graham also self-quarantined after meeting with two people who later tested positive. Reports say he has since tested negative for the virus. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise is also in self-quarantine after meeting with Diaz-Balart.
#BREAKING: House Minority Whip Steve Scalise is self-quarantining after coming into contact with Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who tested postive for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/n50UBkmigB
— Jennifer Franco (@jennfranconews) March 19, 2020
