(Reuters) – At least 14 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate – seven Republicans and seven Democrats – have tested positive or are presumed to have had COVID-19 since the novel coronavirus pandemic began earlier this year, with Representative Raul Grijalva becoming the latest on Saturday.
Here is a look at lawmakers affected by the virus:
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.
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 worn in the last 4 months.”
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.
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.”
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, 60, a Pennsylvania Democrat, also tested positive for antibodies to coronavirus in May, but pledged to remain 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.
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.
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.
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).
The Kentucky Republican, 57, said on March 22 that he had tested positive and was in quarantine, but was feeling fine. After he returned to work, Paul still did not wear a mask and said it was because he believed he was immune.
REP MARIO DIAZ-BALART
The 58-year-old Florida Republican tested positive in mid-March and said the symptoms “almost 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.
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.
Velázquez, 67, a New York Democrat, said in March that he had been diagnosed with an alleged coronavirus case, which had not been tested.
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.
Reporting through Susan Cornwell; Additional reports from Diane Bartz and Jan Wolfe; Editing by Scott Malone, Peter Cooney and Bernadette Baum
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