Jayapal tests positive for COVID following Capitol lockdown

Published 5:21 am Tuesday, January 12, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Seattle tested positive Monday for coronavirus and thinks she became infected while being locked down for hours during the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S Capitol with Republican lawmakers who did not wear masks.

“Only hours after President Trump incited a deadly assault on our Capitol, our country, and our democracy, many Republicans still refused to take the bare minimum COVID-19 precaution and simply wear a damn mask in a crowded room during a pandemic — creating a superspreader event on top of a domestic terrorist attack,” Jayapal said in a release issued by her office.

On Sunday, the attending physician for Congress advised representatives and Congressional staff that those in the secured room could have “been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection,” according to the release.

Jayapal, whose 7th Congressional District includes parts of south Snohomish County, said she began self-quarantining following the attack out of concern she might have been exposed.

Jayapal is the second member of the state congressional delegation to test positive for coronavirus.

On Dec. 23, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen of Everett announced on Twitter he had a positive test. He did not experience any symptoms while he self-isolated at home.