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HEALTH-VIRUS-US-CONGRESS
Two US members of Congress test positive for coronavirus
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP)-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 CDC-specified 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 self-isolation 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.
“I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better,” he said.
“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.”
Several US lawmakers have self-quarantined after coming in contact with a
man who attended a conservative conference near Washington shortly before he
tested positive for coronavirus.
The United States so far has more than 9,300 cases and 150 deaths,
according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker.
BSS/AFP/AU/10:05 hrs