Coronavirus: US lawmakers may have been exposed during Capitol siege
- House members were whisked away to a secure room during the attack by Trump supporters, but an individual at the location was infected with Covid-19
- The news follows outrage prompted by a video that shows Republican lawmakers in the room not wearing masks
US lawmakers may have been exposed to someone testing positive for Covid-19 while they sheltered at an undisclosed location during the Capitol siege by protesters loyal to President Donald Trump.
The Capitol’s attending doctor notified all lawmakers of the virus exposure on Sunday and urged them to be tested. The infected individual was not named.
Dr Brian Moynihan wrote that “many members of the House community were in protective isolation in the large room – some for several hours” on Wednesday. He said “individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection.”
Dozens of lawmakers were whisked to the secure location after pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol that day, breaking through barricades to roam the halls and offices and ransacking the building.
Some members of Congress huddled for hours in the large room, while others were there for a shorter period.
No further details were provided on which person has tested positive for the virus.
