Factbox: Coronavirus in Congress – 14 members or tested positive

(Reuters) – At least 14 members of the U.S. House and Senate, seven Republicans and seven Democrats, have tested positive or are believed to have COVID-19 since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, with Representative Raúl Grijalva fit in last Saturday.

Here’s a look at the lawmakers affected by the virus:

REP RAUL GRIJALVA

Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, tested positive for coronavirus, but he feels good and has moved away from himself, he said on a Saturday.

Grijalva expressed frustration at the reluctance of some Republican lawmakers to wear masks, possibly delaying the spread of the new coronavirus.

REP LOUIE GOHMERT

The 66-year-old Texas Republican, a staunch conservative, said Wednesday that he underwent a pre-screening test at the White House but had no symptoms.

“It’s ironic, because many other people have made a big challenge by not dressing up in many masks. But in the last two weeks, I’ve worn a mask more than I’ve done in the last 4 months.”

REP MORGAN GRIFFITH

The 62-year-old Virginia Republican, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, said in mid-July that he had tested positive. Su said he had no significant symptoms.

REP TOM RICE

The 62-year-old South Carolina Republican said on Facebook in mid-June that he, his wife and son had been tested for the coronavirus, but that they were all “on their way to recovery.”

SENATOR TIM KAINE

Virginia Democrat and 62-year-old former vice presidential candidate said in mid-May that he and his wife had been tested for antibodies to coronavirus. But he said they would continue to meet physical fitness standards for hand washing, masking and social estrangement.

CASEY SENATOR BOB

Casey, 60, a Pennsylvania Democrat, also tested positive for antibodies to coronavirus in May, but pledged to continue to be dressed in a mask. He claimed that he himself had quarantined himself earlier in the spring after experiencing mild fever and mild flu-like symptoms.

REP NEAL DUNN

The 67-year-old Florida Republican, a former surgeon, said in April that he went to the emergency room feeling good and then tested positive for coronavirus.

REP JOE CUNNINGHAM

A South Carolina Democrat, Cunningham, 38, said on March 27 that he had tested positive for coronavirus. Cunningham had been quarantined since March 19 after learning that he had been in contact with the congressman who had tested positive.

REP MIKE KELLY

Kelly, 72, Republican of Pennsylvania, tested positive for coronavirus last March at a management control site. He told an interviewer that it took him about a month and that he had lost 14 kg (30 pounds).

Senator Rand Paul

The 57-year-old Kentucky Republican said on March 22 that he had tested positive and quarantined, but felt good. After returning to work, Paul still wasn’t wearing a mask and said it because he thought he was immune.

REP MARIO DIAZ-BALART

The 58-year-old Florida Republican tested positive in mid-March and said the symptoms “hit me like a ton of bricks.” Once his fitness improved, Diaz-Balart said he would participate in a plasma donation program to others with serious or life-threatening COVID-19 infections.

REP BEN MCADAMS

The Utah Democrat also contained the virus in March. He was hospitalized and needed oxygen. After his release, he warned others to take the virus seriously. “I’m young, I’m 45 years old, I’m healthy, I exercise every day and he hit me,” he told ABC.

REPRESENTATIVE NYDIA VELAZQUEZ

Velázquez, 67, a New York Democrat, said in March that he had been diagnosed with an alleged coronavirus case, which had not been tested.

REP SETH MOULTON

The 41-year-old Massachusetts Democrat said in March that he and his wife were about 40 years old after experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms. However, the congressman said they were qualified for testing.

(Reports through Susan Cornwell; Additional reports through Diane Bartz and Jan Wolfe; Edited by Scott Malone, Peter Cooney and Bernadette Baum)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *