Factbox: U.S. lawmakers who tested positive for the coronavirus
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[March 25, 2020]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three members
of the U.S. Congress have tested positive for the coronavirus, and more
than two dozen others have said they are self-quarantining, even as
lawmakers scramble to pass more legislation to help cope with the
pandemic.
Here is a look at some of the lawmakers affected:
WHO HAS THE VIRUS?
Senator Rand Paul
The Kentucky Republican said on Sunday that he had tested positive for
COVID-19 and was in quarantine. He said he was asymptomatic and feeling
fine and was tested out of an abundance of caution. He had been in the
Senate and using the gym there in the days before he received his
positive result.
Representative Mario Diaz-Balart
The Florida Republican said on March 18 that he tested positive after
developing symptoms on March 14. That was less than 24 hours after he
and more than 400 other members of the House of Representatives crowded
into the chamber to pass a sweeping coronavirus aid package.
Representative Ben McAdams
The Utah Democrat said on March 18 that he had the virus, also having
developed symptoms on March 14. In a statement on Tuesday, the
45-year-old said he was hospitalized and doctors were monitoring his
occasional need for oxygen.
McAdams urged lawmakers to stop partisan games and take swift action to
support communities grappling with the public health emergency. "At the
advice of my doctors, I am still in the hospital. My experience further
shows me the seriousness of this issue," he said on Twitter.
WHO IS SELF-QUARANTINED?
Republican Senators Mitt Romney and Mike Lee said on Sunday they would
self-quarantine after having spent time with Paul.
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U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) speaks during an interview for
Reuters on Capitol Hill in Washington February 14, 2017.
REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
Romney said on Tuesday that he had tested negative for the virus but
would stay in quarantine.
At least four other senators previously self-quarantined. They are
Republicans Cory Gardner, Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott and Ted Cruz.
Cruz and Graham have returned to public life.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar said on Monday her husband,
52-year-old John Bessler, had the virus and was in the hospital, but
she was not at risk because she had not seen him for two weeks. That
is longer than the quarantine period.
At least 23 House members have self-quarantined, some after exposure
to Diaz-Balart or McAdams, and others after contacts with their
constituents or staff members who later tested positive. Not all are
still in isolation.
They include: Republicans Steve Scalise, Mark Meadows, Tom Cole,
Doug Collins, Drew Ferguson, Matt Gaetz, Paul Gosar and Ann Wagner
along with Democrats Don Beyer, Anthony Brindisi, Julia Brownley,
Jason Crow, Joe Cunningham, Sharice Davids, Kendra Horn, Andy Kim,
Gwen Moore, Stephanie Murphy, Ben Ray Lujan, David Price, Kathleen
Rice, David Schweikert and John Yarmuth.
(Reporting by Susan Cornwell and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Scott
Malone and Peter Cooney)
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