Kelly tests positive for COVID-19

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Butler County Republican, tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.

Mr. Kelly, reached by phone soon after his office revealed the positive test, said he was feeling “a little achy” earlier this week and thought he might be coming down with the flu. His doctor said he should make sure it’s not COVID-19 and ordered him a test, which the 72-year-old congressman took at a drivethrough testing site at Butler Memorial Hospital.

The test came back positive Friday afternoon.

“I’m glad I picked it up early. I’m glad I got to my doctor and asked him to check it out for me,” Mr. Kelly said, “and so far, so good. It’s just a matter of getting a lot of rest and staying hydrated.”

Mr. Kelly’s symptoms are mild, he said, and he remains in self-quarantine.

He said his priority is making sure he doesn’t pass it to someone else. His wife, four children and 10 grandchildren are healthy, he said — as well as his staffers, who have been working from home and are continuing to provide constituent services by phone.

Awaiting results from his test, Mr. Kelly was not in Washington on Friday for the House vote on the $2 trillion stimulus package.

Mr. Kelly said he’s missed work “very few times” since he was sworn in to Congress in 2011, but this was “a little bit different” because the disease is so contagious.

“It can really be something deadly, especially for our seniors,” he said.

Mr. Kelly is the fifth member of Congress to test positive for the virus, and the first from Pennsylvania. Sen. Rand Paul and U.S. Reps. Joe Cunningham, Mario DiazBalart and Ben McAdams announced recently that they tested positive.

Mr. Kelly said he is blessed to have constituents who care about his well being. His district stretches from Valencia and Connoquenessing in Butler County up through Lawrence, Mercer, Crawford and Erie counties.

“I appreciate the thoughts and prayers,” Mr. Kelly said. “It’s not unusual with the area we’re from. We’ve always had strong community. It’s what I expect from the area I’ve lived in all my life.”

“Our hopes and prayers are for everybody else out there,” Mr. Kelly added.

As of noon on Friday, Butler County had recorded 26 cases of COVID-19 and one death.