OC Congresswoman Michelle Steel Tests Positive For Coronavirus

SEAL BEACH, CA —New Representative Michelle Steel of the 48th Congressional District was not in residence with the rest of Orange County's lawmakers on Capitol Hill Wednesday after testing positive for coronavirus. Lawmakers met during the joint session of Congress in Washington D.C. to certify the presidential election results and were disrupted midday in a volatile protest when hundreds of Trump supporters breached the Capitol Mall.

Staff members of multiple representatives hid in place or evacuated from nearby buildings as the Senate and House chambers went into lockdown. Michelle Steel was not present, her publicist confirmed.

The former Orange County supervisor said she found out Wednesday morning that she had been exposed to someone infected with coronavirus, prompting her to get tested.

Steel's announcement was released not long before members of the Southland congressional delegation found themselves barricaded in their offices and other locations.

The congresswoman representing California's 48th District later condemned what's happening at the Capitol in a Twitter post.

"Violence is never, ever the answer. As Americans, we are blessed with the right to make our voices heard in support of our democracy, but turning to violence is always wrong. I am praying for the Capitol Police today, and am thankful for their work to keep us safe."