Third House lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19 this week

There’s a COVID outbreak in the Capitol, and members who were sheltering during Wednesday’s riot were packed together in tight quarters. So it’s worth monitoring if we see more positive tests as a result.

Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.) announced early Thursday morning that he tested positive for COVID-19, hours after voting on the House floor in support of a challenge to Arizona’s presidential election results.

A statement from LaTurner’s office said that he is currently asymptomatic and would not cast any more votes on the House floor in the wee hours of Thursday morning. The statement said that he learned of his test result “late Wednesday evening.”

“Congressman LaTurner is following the advice of the House physician and CDC guidelines and, therefore, does not plan to return to the House floor for votes until he is cleared to do so,” the statement said.