Staffer of Rep. Clarke tests positive for bug

A staffer in Rep. Yvette Clarke’s Brooklyn office has tested positive for the coronavirus — the first known case of the respiratory infection in New York’s congressional delegation, the Daily News has learned.

The staffer, whose name is not known, attended a personal event in the city last weekend and learned after the fact that a person there had the virus, Clarke’s communications director, Sarah Sinovic, said Friday.

The aide subsequently got tested for COVID-19 “out of precaution” and the results came back this week, Sinovic said.

The staffer has been in self-quarantine since early this week, according to Sinovic.

“The congresswoman has not been in contact with the staff member,” Sinovic told The News, adding the 55year-old lawmaker has no plans to get tested. “Following CDC guidelines, she’s been social distancing. Like our staff, she’s been working remotely and not coming into contact with individuals at this time unless it’s essential.”

Sinovic said the aide for the six-term Brooklyn Democrat has not shown any symptoms since contracting the virus.

Clarke (photo) is the first member of New York’s 27member congressional delegation to have a staff member test positive for the fastspreading virus.

At least 14 other members of Congress have been tested and entered self-quarantine after learning they were in contact with an infected person.

Reps. Mario DiazBalart (R-Fla.) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) announced Wednesday they had tested positive for the virus, making them the first members of Congress to do so.

Meanwhile Friday, a member of Gov. Cuomo’s press staff tested positive for coronavirus. The staffer, who officials did not identify, fell ill on Thursday and immediately self-isolated. Other workers in the press office were also quarantined, Cuomo said.