Kathleen Rice Self-Quarantined After COVID-19 Contact

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) is quarantining herself until next week after coming in contact with one of the congressmen who have been diagnosed with coronavirus.

“I’ve learned this evening that someone I was in contact with last Friday has tested positive for COVID-19,” Rice said in a statement late Wednesday night. “After consultation with the attending physician and out of an abundance of caution for those around me, I will be self-quarantining until Friday, March 27. I am currently not experiencing symptoms and feel healthy and well.”

A spokesman for Rice said that she asked about her staff as well, but the quarantine does not extend beyond the congresswoman. The spokesman noted that the person she was in contact with “is another Member of Congress who has already disclosed their condition publicly.”

The first two congressmen to disclose their COVD-19 diagnoses Wednesday are U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah).

She’s not the only government official on Long Island who has been quarantined.New York State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Wheatley Heights) has become the third New York State lawmaker to test positive for coronavirus, she announced Thursday. Suffolk County Deputy County Executive Peter Scully was quarantined after being diagnosed with coronavirus prompting his boss, Suffolk County Steve Bellone, to telecommute from home as a precaution.

“I am beyond thankful for those on the front lines of this crisis, particularly our healthcare workers,” Rice said. “And I ask all who are reading this to take me seriously — these are difficult times and often requires difficult decisions to keep ourselves apart from our loved ones. When in doubt, just listen to the advice of our medical professionals.”

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