The Office of Attending Physician released a statement on Sunday saying some Congress members were on lockdown in the same room with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“On Wednesday, January 6, many members of the House community were in protective isolation in a room located in a large committee hearing space,” Brian Monahan, the attending physician to Congress, said in an email on Sunday. “The time in this room was several hours for some and briefer for others. During this time, individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection.”
The physician suggested lawmakers who were in attendance to monitor their symptoms, wear a mask, and practice social distancing, PEOPLE reported.
“Additionally, individuals should obtain an RT-PCR coronavirus test next week as a precaution,” Monahan’s email stated.
Two House aides told the Washington Post that Monahan was referring to the room seen in a video posted by Punchbowl News on Friday.
The video shows Republican Representatives Andy Biggs, Michael Cloud, Markwayne Mullin, and Scott Perry refusing to wear face masks when Democratic Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester offered masks.
Hours after, Congress members reconvened to carry out their task for the day—ratifying the Electoral College results of this year’s presidential election—U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner said he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Since the pandemic, over 100 lawmakers have had to quarantine because of testing positive or being exposed to someone who contracted CODVID-19.
