House Republican tests positive for coronavirus [Updated]
With the coronavirus spreading quickly in the United States, and a number of high ranking U.S. politicians having already quarantined themselves due to potential exposure, it was a matter of time before someone in the U.S. government tested positive. Sure enough, that’s now happened.
Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida announced this evening that he’s just been informed that he’s tested positive for coronavirus, after having been in self-quarantine in Washington DC since Saturday:
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 Díaz-Balart (@MarioDB) March 18, 2020
It’s not yet clear how Congressman Diaz-Balart caught the coronavirus, when he caught it, or who else he might have unknowingly exposed to the virus before he started having symptoms. The good news is that he’s recovering. Update, 9:18pm: a second House member has also tested positive.
