A Republican state lawmaker in Pennsylvania tested positive for the coronavirus after spending time in the state Capitol, but Democrats are claiming they were never informed about their possible exposure until a public statement was made more than a week later.
At least one other Republican lawmaker, Rep. Russ Diamond, entered a self-quarantine after a colleague, state Rep. Andrew Lewis, confirmed that he had tested positive for the virus on May 20. Lewis acknowledged publicly that he had tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, upsetting many Democratic members who claim they were not notified over the past week that they might have come in contact with him.
Lewis was last at the capitol on May 14, well within the 14-day window that the COVID-19 virus can take to present symptoms in an infected person. In a statement posted to Facebook, Lewis said he notified everyone who he believed might be at risk of infection.
“I can confirm every member or staff member who met the criteria for exposure was immediately contacted and required to self-isolate for 14 days from their date of possible exposure,” he said.
“Out of respect for my family, and those who I may have exposed, I chose to keep my positive case private,” he added. “Now that I have fully recovered and completed the quarantine as required by the Department of Health, I feel now is the appropriate time to share this information with the public and my constituents and I look forward to being a resource in sharing my experiences with COVID-19 and helping our community navigate this crisis together.”
Many Democratic lawmakers, however, said that Lewis should have notified everyone in the state Capitol of his infection. Rep. Kevin Boyle, a Democrat who sits on a committee with Lewis and Diamond, called the situation “outrageous.”
“Whoever knew this in the Republican leadership and did not inform the broader membership and staff, they need to resign immediately. This is outrageous and immoral,” Boyle told the Morning Call.
Mike Straub, a spokesman for House Republicans, said the GOP lawmakers followed all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to notify those who had direct contact with Lewis.
“Absolutely anyone, from anywhere in the Capitol, who may have been exposed within those guidelines was notified,” Straub said. “We followed data and science, implementing the guidelines from the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health, in line with exactly what Gov. Wolf requires from any business that wishes to operate.”
