Iowa Democrat quarantining after staffer tests positive for COVID-19

Rep. Cindy Axne is quarantining after a member of her staff tested positive for COVID-19, making the Iowa Democrat the latest lawmaker to be affected by the coronavirus.

“Over the weekend, a member of Rep. Axne’s team that staffed the Congresswoman this past week on her 16-County District Tour began experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19,” a spokesperson for Axne said in a statement Wednesday. “Today, that staffer received a positive test result for COVID-19.”

According to the spokesperson, Axne went into a precautionary quarantine on Monday after the same staffer began displaying symptoms. The lawmaker is not exhibiting any symptoms and will soon receive a COVID-19 test.

Axne had received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine as of Wednesday, her office said.

“Take it from me and my team, #COVID19 is still very much present in Iowa,” Axne tweeted once news of her quarantine broke, advising others to stay vigilant and to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus guidelines.

Take it from me and my team, #COVID19 is still very much present in Iowa.#WearAMask, keep following social distancing, and if you’re exposed to someone who has #COVID19, follow @CDCgov guidance and the advice of your doctor to slow the potential spread of this virus. #IA03 https://t.co/xLeblwnky0

— Rep. Cindy Axne (@RepCindyAxne) February 3, 2021

The Des Moines Register previously reported Axne’s quarantine.

Her office said it has contacted everyone who attended last week’s events with the staffer who tested positive.

“We are now updating all attendees with this new information,” the spokesperson added.

Axne sent a proxy letter to House Clerk Cheryl Johnson on Tuesday granting Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) the authority to vote in her place while she cannot physically be on the House floor.