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.
“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.
Credit: Wilfredo Lee
Credit: Wilfredo Lee
“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.”
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.
Credit: Rick Bowmer
Credit: Rick Bowmer
“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.
“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.
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