Republican Rep. Mike Kelly Becomes Fifth Member of Congress to Test Positive for Coronavirus

Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly announced on Friday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Kelly is now the fifth member of congress to contract the virus.

In a statement, Kelly said that he had mild flu-like symptoms earlier this week so he went to the doctor, who then ordered a coronavirus test. On Friday, he was informed that the test was positive.

“When I started experiencing mild flu-like symptoms earlier this week, I consulted my primary care physician. My doctor ordered a test for COVID-19, which I obtained at the drive-through testing site at Butler Memorial Hospital. My test came back positive this afternoon. Thank you to my doctor Bill DiCuccio and the staff at Butler Memorial for their excellent care. My symptoms remain mild, and I will serve the 16th district from home until I fully recover,” Kelly wrote in a statement. Additionally, my staff is tele-working and still available to constituents who need assistance.”

Kelly missed the stimulus vote while he was awaiting his test results, but said that he would have voted for it.

Earlier in the day, Democrat Rep. Joe Cunningham announced that he had tested positive for the virus as well.

Cunningham’s office said that the South Carolina representative had come into contact with another lawmaker who had the virus. He has had some symptoms of the virus and been in self-quarantine since March 17.

“While I otherwise feel fine, since March 17th I have been unable to smell or taste, which I learned this week is a potential symptom of COVID-19,” Cunningham said in a statement. “I am grateful that my family remains in good health and urge South Carolinians to follow the guidance and recommendations from the CDC and other health experts so that we can recover from this public health threat.”

“I have been in contact with my doctor since I entered self-quarantine. Yesterday, my doctor instructed me to get tested for COVID-19 and following a virtual consultation on MUSC.care, I went to my local testing clinic. Today, I learned that I tested positive,” Cunningham continued.

Cunningham’s wife and two year old son are not currently showing any symptoms, and his are reportedly beginning to improve.

Sen. Rand Paul and Reps. Ben McAdams and Mario Díaz-Balart have previously tested positive for the coronavirus.

Rep. McAdams currently remains hospitalized due to difficulty breathing.

There are currently 36 members of congress who are self-quarantined out of concern that they may have been exposed.

 

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