Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-BalartMario Rafael Diaz-BalartDemocratic lawmakers rip Carson over cuts to housing budget, policies GOP fails to overcome procedural hurdle needed to bring resolution condemning Sanders to the floor Florida Republican introduces resolution condemning Sanders’s Castro remarks MORE (R) announced Wednesday he tested positive for COVID-19 after developing symptoms Saturday.
He is the first member of Congress to test positive for the novel coronavirus.
Diaz-Balart has been in self-quarantine in his Washington, D.C., apartment since Friday.
“On Saturday evening, Congressman Diaz-Balart developed symptoms, including a fever and a headache. Just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19,” read a statement released by his office.
According to the statement, Diaz-Balart did not return to Florida “out of an abundance of caution.”
I’m feeling much better. However, it’s important that everyone take this seriously and follow @CDCgov guidelines in order to avoid getting sick & mitigate the spread of this virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times. pic.twitter.com/g5W5vSQIyH
— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) March 18, 2020
Diaz-Balart’s wife, Tia, is a cancer and chronic lung disease survivor, both “conditions that put her at exceptionally high risk.”
“I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better,” said Diaz-Balart in a statement.
“However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times,” added Diaz-Balart.
Updated at 7:03 p.m.