Virginia Democratic Rep. Don Beyer will be self-quarantining himself after being exposed to the coronavirus.
Beyer marks the seventh member of Congress to quarantine themselves as a preventative measure, though none of them have shown any symptoms.
Recommended Stories
The congressman was exposed to the virus after having dinner with a family friend who later tested positive, he said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
“This afternoon my wife Megan and I were contacted by the Virginia Department of Health to share details with us about the illness of a friend who tested positive for COVID-19 after dining with us. They informed us that the timeline of his infection began shortly after our contact on February 28,” the congressman said. “At the request of the public health officials, I will self-quarantine to ensure that I do not pass on any potential illness to others.”
Beyer’s office will be closed, and he will remain out of the office until next Monday.
Other members of Congress who have been quarantined for the virus include Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Reps. Doug Collins of Georgia, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, and Mark Meadows of North Carolina. They were all exposed to an individual who tested positive for the virus, which has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people globally, while at the Conservative Political Action Committee.
Additionally, Democratic Rep. Julia Brownley of California said she is closing her Capitol Hill office for the week and is working remotely after learning an individual she met with in D.C. last week tested positive.
