Democratic Rep. Nydia Velazquez announced Monday she has been diagnosed with a “presumed” case of coronavirus. So far her symptoms are mild, she says, noting that she’s self-isolating at home under instructions from the Office of Attending Physician.
“In the wee hours of Sunday morning, I began to feel under the weather,” the New York lawmaker said. “I developed the abrupt onset of muscle aches, fevers, nasal congestion and stomach upset.”
Velazquez also said she noticed she lost her sense of smell.
“After speaking with The Attending Physician by phone, I was diagnosed with presumed coronavirus infection.”
She said the physician did not believe she needed to go in for laboratory testing or a doctor's office visit.
“I’ll continue my work on behalf of New Yorkers as together we overcome this virus. In that regard, I encourage everyone to stay at home and continue practicing social distancing," she said.
I have been diagnosed with presumed coronavirus infection. My symptoms are mild. I am isolating myself at my home and following the guidance of the Office of Attending Physician.
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) March 30, 2020
My full statement is below. pic.twitter.com/9TgPXoy9dN
Her colleagues, Reps. Joe Cunningham, Mike Kelly, Mario Diaz Balart, and Ben McAdams have tested positive for coronavirus.
According to Roll Call, her statement came just three days after she met with dozens of lawmakers for the vote on the $2 trillion stimulus package:
"After the vote, Velázquez joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and others for a signing ceremony. While lawmakers made a show of spreading out during the speeches and photos, Velázquez had a conversation with Pelosi and California Democrat Maxine Waters after the signing."
New York has more than 67,000 confirmed cases of Wuhan coronavirus and 914 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University & Medicine.