A day after voting to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, Manhattan/Bronx Congressman Adriano Espillat announced Thursday morning that he has tested positive for COVID-19, and is now in self-quarantine.
“I am following guidance from my physician and quarantining at home after having tested positive for COVID-19,” Espillat tweeted on Jan. 14. He represents the 13th District covering much of Harlem, Upper Manhattan and a portion of the South Bronx.
Espillat said he had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with the second shot having come last week. But the vaccine takes up to two weeks to be fully effective, so the risk of COVID-19 infection remains even after a shot is administered.
“I have continued to be tested regularly, wear my mask and follow the recommended guidelines,” Espillat added. “I will continue my duties representing New York’s 13th Congressional District remotely until I have received clearance from my doctor. I encourage all residents to follow public health guidelines for the safety of our #NY13 community.”
Espillat did participate in person during Wednesday’s vote to impeach President Trump for the second time in his presidency on an “incitement of insurrection” charge. The congressman spoke during the debate on the article while wearing a surgical mask.
Donald J. Trump is #UnfitForOffice and he must be removed now! pic.twitter.com/dOTUO1xx2Y
— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) January 13, 2021
The congressman is the fourth member of the House Democratic caucus to announce a positive COVID-19 diagnosis since the Jan. 6 Capitol coup attempt by an angry mob of Trump supporters.
During the siege, House members were forced into lockdown for several hours. Published reports indicated that a number of Republican House members were unmasked, and refused to wear them when offered, in the presence of their colleagues during the lockdown.
That led to a new House rule, passed along party lines Tuesday, which instituted fines for members who fail to wear a mask on the House floor.
