Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., on Thursday announced that he’s tested positive for COVID-19.
Cassidy underwent a test for the novel coronavirus after learning Wednesday night that he had come into contact with someone who tested positive for the viral infection. He said he will quarantine for the next 14 days in adherence to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I am strictly following the direction of our medical experts and strongly encourage others to do the same,” Cassidy, who is a gastroenterologist, said in a statement.
Cassidy is the latest lawmaker to announce a positive coronavirus diagnosis. Others who have tested positive include Reps. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Mike Kelly, R-Pa., Tom Rice, R-S.C., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
The United States leads the world with the most coronavirus cases and the highest death toll. Since the start of the pandemic, officials have confirmed more than 5.5 million infections and reported more than 173,000 deaths nationwide, according to numbers compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
As of Thursday, more than 22.5 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide and more than 789,000 people have died of the viral infection, according to Johns Hopkins.
