U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters, Washington County, announced Wednesday he’s self-quarantining for 14 days after coming into close contact with a colleague who tested positive for covid-19.
The possible exposure occurred Tuesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, when Reschenthaler was in close proximity to Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas. Gohmert is a fellow Republican who tested positive on Wednesday for the virus.
Reschenthaler said in a statement that he shared a desk with Gohmert during the proceeding and “had extensive conversations with him, including a walk together from the Capitol to the Cannon House Office Building.”
Reschenthaler said he decided to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution and after consulting with an attending physician.
Gohmert, 66, told a Texas news station that he also planned to self-quarantine, after testing positive at the White House. Gohmert has been criticized by colleagues for shunning masks on Capitol Hill.
He is at least the 10th member of Congress known to have tested positive for the coronavirus.
