WASHINGTON — Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) announced Tuesday that he will self-quarantine after interacting with a friend who tested positive for coronavirus.
"This afternoon my wife Megan and I were contacted by the Virginia Department of Health about the illness of a friend who tested positive for COVID-19 after dining with us," Beyer wrote on Twitter. "They told us the timeline of his infection began shortly after our contact on February 28.
Beyer went on to say that at the request of public health officials, he will self-quarantine to ensure that he doesn't pass on any potential illness to anyone else. He said that in the 10 days since the couple's dinner with their friend, neither he nor his wife have shown any symptoms, "and we understand that the probability that we have an infection is low."
Beyer said his office will close for public business and he will not attend votes or hearings until Monday, when medical advisers say he should be clear to return.
"As I work from home and when I hopefully return to the Capitol I will have these people and those who badly need assistance from leaders in Washington foremost in my mind. We have to do more to help every American get through this pandemic," he wrote.
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Beyer is currently serving his third term as the U.S. Representative from Virginia's 8th District, which encompasses Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and parts of Fairfax County. he previously served as Virginia's lieutenant governor and was the Commonwealth's Democratic nominee for governor in 1997.
