Capitol Police officer tests positive for coronavirus

A United States Capitol Police (USCP) employee has tested positive for the coronavirus, a spokesperson confirmed to The Hill. 

The USCP employee has been self-quarantined since March 18.

“The USCP has contacted employees in order to identify individuals who may have been in close contact with the affected employee. The Department has taken, and will continue to take, all the necessary steps to ensure that any affected work areas or facilities were properly cleaned,” USCP spokeswoman Eva Malecki said in an e-mail Sunday to The Hill. 

“The USCP is working closely with the Office of Attending Physician, Congressional leadership, and the Architect of the Capitol, and our focus is on the health and well-being of our employees.”

Malecki did not provide any details about the USCP employee. A Capitol source familiar with the case said the employee is an officer who had been assigned to the House chamber. 

At least four House lawmakers — Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Ben McAdams (D-Utah), Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) — have tested positive for COVID-19.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and several Capitol Hill aides have also tested positive. And many lawmakers, aides and reporters have been self quarantining in recent weeks.

Capitol Police have implemented numerous measures to respond to the pandemic, Malecki said. The department has also communicated extensively with its officers and other employees to provide them up-to-date information. 

“The Department could not be more proud of the tremendous teamwork and dedication to our mission that our employees have exhibited as the nation, the Congress, and the Department continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Malecki said. 

After passing a historic $2 trillion coronavirus health and economic rescue package last week, the House and Senate are not expected to come back into session for several weeks.