NJ Congresswoman Has COVID-19 After Sheltering During DC Lockdown

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-Mercer, has tested positive for COVID-19 just days after she was sheltering-in-place during the Capitol Hill riots, her office confirmed Monday.

“I received a positive test result for COVID-19, and am home resting at this time. While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents,” Watson Coleman said in a statement.

Watson Coleman, a cancer survivor, believes she was exposed during protective isolation in the U.S. Capitol during the riots on Jan. 6, her office said.

According to a report by CNN, several House Republicans refused to wear masks while sheltering in place during the Capitol riots on Jan. 6.

A statement from her office read: "As reported by multiple news outlets, a number of members within the space ignored instructions to wear masks."

The congresswoman recently received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID19 vaccine, which has been made available to members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and Executive Branch agencies.

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