Congressmember Nydia Velázquez is in quarantine after contracting symptoms of the novel coronavirus, she said in a tweet on Monday.
“I have been diagnosed with presumed coronavirus infection. My symptoms are mild. I am isolating myself at my home and following the guidance of the Office of Attending Physician,” said 67-year-old Velázquez, who represents swaths of Brooklyn, from Sunset Park to East New York.
The House Democrat developed symptoms — such as muscle aches, fevers, and a loss of smell and taste — but declined to receive a lab test at the advice of the Office of Attending Physician, which takes care of members of Congress’ health needs.
Instead, Velázquez will quarantine at home and work with her staff remotely, she said.
“I’ll continue my work on behalf of New Yorkers as together we overcome this virus,” she said. “In that regard, I encourage everyone to stay at home and continue practicing social distancing.”
Velázquez was present in the nation’s capital on March 27 to vote in favor of the “CARES Act” — a $2 trillion economic stimulus package that includes a $1,200 no-strings-attached check to Americans earning less that $75,000, an expansion of unemployment benefits, as well as other policies.
Velázquez becomes the latest in a series of city legislators who have contracted the virus.
Last week, out gay City Councilmember Ritchie Torres of the Bronx announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 and that he and his staff had all gone into quarantine. Assemblymembers Helene Weinstein and Charles Barron both contracted the virus, and Barron’s wife, Councilmember Inez Barron, later tested positive for the virus herself while in self-quarantine, according to the New York Post.
