Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-SC) announced Friday that he has tested positive for the Chinese coronavirus and is in self-quarantine.
Cunningham, a freshman congressman, began self-isolating March 19 after coming into contact with a lawmaker who was infected with the deadly illness. The South Carolina Democrat said he received his test result today.
“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,” he said in a statement. “While my symptoms have begun to improve, I will remain at home until I know it is safe to leave self-quarantine. I will continue to tele-work from home as Congress conducts its ongoing response to this public health crisis and my office will continue its urgent work of serving the people of the Lowcountry.”
Cunningham’s announcement comes as the House voted to approve the CARES Act — a $2.2 trillion economic rescue package aimed at easing the financial strain incurred by Americans across the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Cunningham is the third congressman to contract the coronavirus, joining Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ben McAdams (D-UT), who caught the illness earlier March.
Last week, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) became the first senator to test positive for coronavirus.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have tested negative for the illness.