Utah Democrat diagnosed with coronavirus hospitalized after experiencing shortness of breath

Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah), a freshman lawmaker who last week announced that he had been diagnosed with the coronavirus, said Sunday that he was hospitalized after experiencing shortness of breath.

In a statement from his office Sunday evening, the Utah Democrat said that the incident occurred Friday and stated that he had to receive oxygen through a mask after struggling to maintain proper oxygen levels in his blood.

“I am now off oxygen and feeling relatively better,” McAdams said. “I’m very grateful to the skilled hospital medical staff for their efficient and effective treatment, as well as their preparations.”

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. Here is an update on my health status.#utpol #covid19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/MrugvuupQq

— Rep. Ben McAdams (@RepBenMcAdams) March 22, 2020

McAdams was the second House lawmaker to be diagnosed with the disease, which has sickened more than 33,000 nationally. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) announced his own positive diagnosis last week as well.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) on Sunday became the first senator to announce they had been infected with coronavirus.