Sen. Rick Scott tested positive for COVID-19 and said he is experiencing mild symptoms.
The Florida Republican announced his diagnosis, which followed a series of negative tests, in a statement on Friday morning.
“After several negative tests, I learned I was positive this morning. I am feeling good and experiencing very mild symptoms. I will be working from home in Naples until it is safe for me to return to Washington, D.C. I want to remind everyone to be careful and do the right things to protect yourself and others,” he stated.
The senator also encouraged people to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and warned that Thanksgiving will be different in 2020. Channeling some optimism, Scott said the pandemic could “be a thing of the past” by next Thanksgiving.
“Wear a mask,” Scott added. “Social distance. Quarantine if you come in contact with someone positive like I did. As we approach Thanksgiving, we know this holiday will be different this year. But, listen to public health officials and follow their guidance. We will beat this together, but we all have to be responsible. I want to thank all the incredible health care workers who are working around the clock to care for patients and I pray that by next Thanksgiving, COVID-19 will be a thing of the past.”
Scott is the latest senator to test positive for the virus. He, Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and Rand Paul of Kentucky are others who have tested positive.
The coronavirus has been linked to more than a quarter of a million deaths in the United States. More than 11.7 million more in the country have been infected, according to the John Hopkins University coronavirus tracker.
