PA House Cancels Session After Rep. Tests Positive For COVID-19

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has canceled its voting session Thursday after a member tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said.

Rep. Paul Schemel received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis earlier Thursday, he confirmed in a statement. He is self-isolating and is experiencing mild symptoms, House Republicans said in a separate statement.

Schemel said he experienced mild symptoms of COVID-19 Wednesday, so he took a test and was informed of a positive result Thursday morning. "Though I was in the Capitol on Tuesday, Sept. 29, I was experiencing no symptoms. I was not in the Capitol on Wednesday, Sept. 30, when I began experiencing symptoms. Upon experiencing symptoms on Wednesday, I began to self-quarantine," he said in the statement.

He said he informed the appropriate House offices immediately upon learning of his positive result. "I am following the advice of medical professionals and the protocols of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to ensure the safety of my family, staff, and fellow members.”

Contact tracing efforts are now underway.

The House was scheduled to convene at 11 a.m. to consider several bills related to health, finance, education, and more.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.