Elected MP Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) announced on Thursday that her test was positive for COVID-19, making it the latest in a growing list of current or future lawmakers who contracted the virus.
Elvira Salazar said in a statement that she was admitted to Hospital dos Médicos on December 23 with cardiac arrhythmia. She was later tested for coronavirus and received a positive diagnosis.
The new lawmaker did not specify any symptoms she experienced, but said in the statement that she was “getting better every day” and that she was discharged from the hospital once in “stable condition”. She is currently isolating at her home for 14 days on the recommendation of her doctors.
“I am extremely grateful to the tireless frontline medical workers in our community who help so many people in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “I am looking forward to starting working for my community, once it is medically permitted.”
I hope you can forgive me, as I haven’t been able to communicate on social media, but I was diagnosed with COVID-19.
I’m quarantined at home and getting better every day. I look forward to starting working for my community, once it is medically permitted: pic.twitter.com/BHL64vbMrU
– María Elvira Salazar (@MaElviraSalazar) December 31, 2020
Elvira Salazar said that her diagnosis means that she will not be able to attend the congressional inauguration ceremony on Sunday, during which she was scheduled to formally assume her post.
The Florida Republican won a House seat held by Democrats in South Florida in the November elections, defeating Rep. Donna Shalala
Donna Edna ShalalaNow is the time to do great things On The Money: Fight for the Federal Reserve’s powers that prevent a year-end deal | Congress should close deadline amid negotiations on coronavirus | Experts say a stimulus deal could prevent a double-dip recession. Fight over Federal Reserve powers holding year-end deal MORE in one of the most important victories for the GOP House.
Dozens of members of the House and Senate have contracted the coronavirus since the outbreak began in the United States, Louisiana’s deputy, Luke Letlow (R), died on Tuesday after being hospitalized with COVID-19.
Legislators began receiving coronavirus vaccines earlier this month on Capitol Hill under the continuity of government policies, although a small number refused to receive vaccines before they were widely available to the general public.
The United States recorded about 19.7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 342,000 people died from the disease.