Illinois Republican congressman announces he tested positive for coronavirus – CNN

In a statement, Bost said he experienced "a mild cough and a rapid loss of both taste and smell" and quickly got tested.

Congressional staffers he has been in close contact with are quarantining while they await their own test results, he said. He also indicated that some of his constituents may have been exposed, saying he is beginning to reach out to individuals he has met with recently.

"I am postponing my public event schedule but will continue conducting virtual meetings as I isolate at home. We are taking this situation seriously and will continue to serve the people of Southern Illinois while doing our best to ensure their health and safety," he said. "I will provide additional updates in the days ahead and am anxious to get back to work as soon as I make a full recovery."

House Democratic leaders have taken some precautions to prevent the spread of the virus during the pandemic, including establishing a form of remote voting, separating members into smaller groups for votes, and requiring lawmakers to wear masks on the floor and during committee meetings. But some members argue it isn't enough, calling for a more robust testing regimen on Capitol Hill to identify cases. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly pushed back on that concept, saying existing resources already meet the needs at the Capitol.

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Illinois Republican congressman announces he tested positive for coronavirus - CNN