Sen. Tom Cotton closed his office in Washington, D.C., after an aide for another senator tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
“Effectively immediately, therefore, I have closed my Washington, D.C. office. An aide in another Senate office has tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus; other congressional employees are likely to test positive in the days ahead. The most sensible course of action for the public and the congressional workforce under the circumstances is for my staff to telecommute,” he said in a statement Thursday.
The Arkansas Republican noted that Congress is on a previously scheduled recess next week and said his office will remain closed through the recess. His offices in Arkansas are still open.
“Our state currently has one confirmed case of the Wuhan coronavirus; that case is travel-related. I will assess the situation in Arkansas as it develops,” he said.
Sen. Maria Cantwell said Wednesday she had closed her office for “deep cleaning” after one of her aides was confirmed to have the coronavirus. The Washington Democrat said she had requested testing for staff who have been in contact with an infected person and are showing symptoms.
The staffer with the coronavirus “has had no known contact with the senator or other members of Congress,” she said.
