2 US lawmakers test +ve for virus
Washington, March 19: Two US lawmakers including a Florida representative on Wednesday became the first members of Congress to announce they have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart’s office said in a statement that “just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19”.
The Republican who represents part of Miami follows that city’s Mayor Francis Suarez, who announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus last week.
They are following CDCspecified self-isolation guidelines at their homes.
Diaz-Balart’s diagnosis prompted a member of congressional leadership, the number two Republican Steve Scalise, to immediately self-quarantine as he had an extended meeting with his colleague last week.
“Fortunately, I am not experiencing any symptoms, and will continue working remotely on Congress’s Coronavirus response” and remain in close contact with Trump administration officials to ensure that swift action to address the crisis continues, Scalise said in a statement.
In the western state of Utah, Democrat Ben McAdams became the second congressman to announce he tested positive. After developing a mild cold Saturday evening when he returned from Washington, “my symptoms got worse and I developed a fever, a dry cough, labored breathing and I remained self-quarantined,” McAdams said.
He was tested Tuesday, received a positive diagnosis Wednesday, and remains in isolation at home, he said.
The attending physician of the US Congress said in a statement released by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Diaz-Balart and McAdams “are ill, but in good condition.” They are following selfisolation guidelines set forth by US health officials, he added.
Diaz-Balart said that he had entered into quarantine and was working from his Washington apartment. — AP