House

House Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen tests positive for COVID-19

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) shared on Twitter on Wednesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

“Yesterday, I received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus. I am quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines and am not experiencing any symptoms. I am prepared to vote by proxy in the coming days if the House schedules votes,” Larsen wrote.

Larsen’s office did not immediately return a request for comment by The Hill.

The Washington Democrat is now among nearly 40 House lawmakers who have revealed a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. A representative for Rep.-elect Luke Letlow (R-La.), confirmed to The Hill earlier Wednesday that Letlow had been hospitalized on Saturday in the intensive care unit.

Members of Congress began getting the COVID-19 vaccine in the last week, though some have turned it down, saying that it should first go to essential front-line workers.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) wrote in a Twitter post on Wednesday that he had taken a “curiosity COVID antibody test” that came back positive, indicating he had the coronavirus at an earlier point and recovered without his knowledge.

“Earlier this month I took a curiosity COVID antibody test that came back positive. I don’t know when I had COVID and have never had a symptom,” wrote Cramer. “I suspect there are many people who have had this virus and don’t know it. I encourage people to test for antibodies.”