Just when Sen. Ted Cruz thought he was wrapping up his self-quarantine, he found out he came in contact with a Spanish government official who had coronavirus.
The Texas Republican announced on Friday he would be extending his self-quarantine because of a meeting with Spain’s Vox Party leader Santiago Abascal on March 3. Abascal tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Cruz told CBS News he was not concerned about his health but wanted to be as cautious as possible to not spread the disease.
“I’m consulting with medical authorities as I did the first time, but my intention is simply to extend the self-quarantine to March 17, which is a full 14 days from the interaction,” Cruz explained. “I remain strong and healthy and have no symptoms, and based on the medical advice I’ve received, there’s very little reason to be concerned.”
He added, “But given the gravity of this health crisis, it is also wise to be prudent, and when you’ve encountered people who have tested positive, the best way to prevent the spread of this disease is social distancing and preventing unnecessary potential transmission.”
Cruz first quarantined himself over the weekend after being notified that an attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a New York doctor, tested positive for the virus after attending the annual conservative summit late last month.
The senator noted that he, like President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, has not been tested for coronavirus. He said that doctors advised him that the tests were less effective when patients do not have symptoms because the “viral load” is too thin.
“Physicians all advised me not to get tested unless I got sick,” Cruz said. “They said if you get sick, then you should get tested, but the test is medically ineffective if you’re not sick.”
Cruz also noted that he was not advised to place his family under self-quarantine because he was asymptomatic. Instead, he has been keeping a safe distance from his wife and daughters as a precautionary measure.
Cruz is one of several lawmakers to self-quarantine over concerns about the coronavirus.
