The First Member of Congress Just Tested Positive for the Wuhan Coronavirus; UPDATE: Another Tested Postive

Beth Baumann | March 18, 2020 7:09 PM

UPDATE:

After Rep. Diaz-Balart (R-FL) announced he tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus, Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT), confirmed he too has the virus.

Please read my statement on contracting #COVID19. I have self-quarantined since first having symptoms and consulted with my doctor. #utpol pic.twitter.com/upx4NcTvF8
— Rep. Ben McAdams (@RepBenMcAdams) March 19, 2020

ORIGINAL POST:

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) on Wednesday tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus, making him the first member of Congress to definitively have the virus.

According to a press release from Diaz-Balart's office, the congressman decided to self-quarantine in Washington, D.C. after the House's vote on the Wuhan Coronavirus Relief Bill on Friday. He decided not to return to South Florida because his wife, Tia, has pre-existing conditions that put him at a higher risk for contracting the virus.

Diaz-Balart began developing symptoms Saturday night, including a fever and headache and not long ago he was notified that he was indeed positive for the virus.

While he has been quarantined, the congressman has been working from home.

"I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better," he said in a statement. "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 the virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times."

GOP FL Rep Mario Diaz-Balart tests positive for coronavirus. Developed a fever and a headache on Saturday. Has been working from his apartment. Says he is "feeling much better. However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines"
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 18, 2020

GOP FL Rep Mario Diaz-Balart is the 1st mbr of the House or Senate to test positive for coronavirus. A number of mbrs from both sides of the Capitol have self-quarantined after potential exposure to others with the virus
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 18, 2020

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Rep. Ben McAdams is a Republican. He is a Democrat.