UPDATE: Rep. Carbajal Tests Positive for COVID-19
Fallout from White House Reception for Judge Barrett Hits Santa Barbara Legislator
[UPDATE 10/6] Santa Barbara Congressmember Salud Carbajal announced on Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Carbajal, who was exposed to the disease by COVID-positive senator Mike Lee, had initially tested negative for the coronavirus on Monday. Carbajal released the following statement on Tuesday after learning he tested positive for COVID-19:
“After discovering I was exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, I took an initial COVID-19 test which came back negative. Following the negative result, I was instructed to quarantine for 14 days and self-monitor for symptoms.
“After I began to experience mild symptoms, I was instructed to take another test today by the Attending Physician, which resulted in a positive. I will continue to monitor symptoms and carry out my duties virtually.
“The vast majority of my staff has been working remotely and are not at risk. Staff members who I did interact with have been tested and are negative, or are pursuing a test.
“I hope this serves a reminder of how easily this virus can spread. I followed every precaution, including wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand-washing and unfortunately was still exposed. It is incumbent on every single one of us to take careful precautions in order to protect the health and safety of those around us.
“Thank you for the well wishes, I look forward to returning to the Central Coast soon as I am able.”
[ORIGINAL STORY] Congressmember Salud Carbajal stated on Monday that he’d tested negative for the coronavirus after being exposed to Senator Mike Lee, who was diagnosed positive after attending a reception for the new Supreme Court nominee.
“Despite taking every precaution — including wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand-washing — I have learned I was exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19,” Carbajal wrote in a press release issued by his office in Washington, D.C.
Carbajal had very mild symptoms, a spokesperson for his office stated, and it was uncertain if they were coronavirus or not. He will stay in quarantine for two weeks with his wife, Gina Carbajal, who also tested negative. Members of Carbajal’s office have been working remotely and were not exposed.
Sen. Lee attended the Rose Garden reception for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on September 26 and was seen to hug people and shake hands while not wearing a mask. Three senators who attended that event are positive for coronavirus. President Trump was admitted to Walter Reed hospital with COVID-19 on October 2. His journeys that week had included Minnesota, his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey, Ohio for the presidential debate with Vice President Joe Biden, and the Barrett reception at the White House.
[UPDATE 10/5] The president was discharged from Walter Reed on Monday evening and returned to the White House.
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