Former House Intel attorney tests positive for coronavirus

The former House Intelligence Committee attorney who led the impeachment inquiries against President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19, he said Sunday. 

Daniel Goldman announced that his results came back positive in a series of tweets Sunday that also criticized the Trump administration’s lack of available testing for Americans with symptoms. 

“My #COVID19 test came back positive. I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support. It means a lot to my family and me,” Goldman tweeted. “I am almost back to 100%. I’m lucky enough not to fall in the vulnerable category and, for me, it was just like the flu.”

FINAL UPDATE (thread): My #COVID19 test came back positive.

I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support. It means a lot to my family and me.

I am almost back to 100%. I’m lucky enough not to fall in the vulnerable category and, for me, it was just like the flu. 1/

— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) March 15, 2020

Goldman, who announced last month he would be returning to New York, said Wednesday he was getting tested for the coronavirus. He shared his experience and difficulty trying to receive a test in a series of tweets documenting his experience. 

“My difficulty in getting a test despite the exact symptoms and a neg flu test underscores how shockingly unprepared this administration is to deal with this pandemic. In fact, I was told that NYC hospitals STILL would not test my wife — with similar symptoms — unless admitted,” Goldman said Sunday. 

“@realDonaldTrump can try to gaslight the American public by repeatedly saying that everyone who needs a test can get one, but that was not true one month ago (when it should have been the case) and it is not true today (when there is no excuse),” he added. 

@realDonaldTrump can try to gaslight the American public by repeatedly saying that everyone who needs a test can get one, but that was not true one month ago (when it should have been the case) and it is not true today (when there is no excuse). 3/

— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) March 15, 2020

Goldman stressed that “we can’t know if people are positive if they can’t get a test,” calling it the administration’s “great failing.” 

Health experts have warned that people who can still be at risk of spreading the virus. 

House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-N.Y.) said Sunday a former staffer, who left the office ten days ago, tested positive for COVID-19. 

The staffer referred to in the announcement was Goldman, a Schiff aide confirmed. 

Schiff said medical professionals believe the staff member contracted the virus after leaving the office, but said “we will still be taking additional precautions over the next few days.” 

The virus has rapidly spread across New York, with 613 confirmed cases across the state as of Saturday night, according to the state health department’s data.