Thirty-eight members of the US Capitol police force and about 150 members of the National Guard have tested positive for COVID-19 since they responded to the deadly Capitol attack earlier this month, officials told CBS News.
Gus Papathanasiou, president of the union representing the Capitol police, told CBS News that the cases have “skyrocketed” since the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol, which brought police closer to the protesters.
More than 25,000 National Guard soldiers were sent to Washington, DC, after the attack, and the photos showed the guards resting near the Capitol building. More than half of the guards will return home in the next few days.
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Two congressmen – representatives Pramila Jayapal and Bonnie Watson Coleman – were positive after the attack. Lawmakers were forced to take shelter together in a safe place while protesters descended on the Capitol building, and that proximity caused the concern of an over-propagating event. Some Democrats accused fellow Republicans of refusing to wear masks while the group took shelter.
To date, more than 120 suspects have been hit by federal charges stemming from the January 6 riot that left five people dead. The FBI continues to search social media for tips and personal videos to find more suspects.
Kris Van Cleave and David Martin contributed to the report.