Arizona congressman tests positive for coronavirus

[August 03, 2020]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Representative Raul Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, has tested positive for coronavirus but feels fine and has gone into isolation, he said in a statement on Saturday.

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) makes a closing statement during a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing on "The U.S. Park Police Attack on Peaceful Protesters at Lafayette Square", on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 29, 2020. Bonnie Cash/Pool via REUTERS

Grijalva, 72, was told of the positive test by the attending physician of the capitol, he said. "I currently have no symptoms, feel fine, and hope to make a quick and speedy recovery," he said.

Grijalva chaired a hearing this week attended by Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Texas Republican who has also tested positive and who has been photographed without a mask.

Grijalva, who did not name Gohmert, expressed frustration with the reluctance of some lawmakers to wear masks, which can slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

"While I cannot blame anyone directly for this, this week has shown that there are some Members of Congress who fail to take this crisis seriously," he said. "Numerous Republican members routinely strut around the Capitol without a mask to selfishly make a political statement at the expense of their colleagues, staff, and their families."

(This story corrects headline and first paragraph to reflect that Grijalva is from Arizona not New Mexico)

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Diane Craft)

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