75-Year-Old Dem Rep. Announces COVID Positivity After Taking Shelter During Siege

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., attends a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in Rayburn Building on whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, federally funded, September 29, 2015. PPFA President Cecile Richards, testified. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., attends a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in Rayburn Building on whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America should be fe... UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., attends a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in Rayburn Building on whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America should be federally funded, September 29, 2015. PPFA President Cecile Richards, testified. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) MORE LESS
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Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) on Monday announced that she tested positive for COVID-19 after taking a rapid antigen test — a diagnosis she believes stems from exposure to the novel coronavirus during protective isolation in the Capitol building amid insurrectionist riots.

In a statement on Monday, Watson Coleman noted that “a number of members within the space ignored instructions to wear masks.” The New Jersey lawmaker, who is 75 years old, said that she is currently resting at home and is experiencing “mild, cold-like symptoms.”

“I received a positive test result for COVID-19, and am home resting at this time,” Watson Coleman said. “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 that in addition to isolating at home, she is awaiting the results of PCR testing. She previously received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Watson Coleman’s COVID-19 diagnosis was announced a day after Attending Physician of Congress Dr. Brian Monahan warned that members of the House community may potentially have been exposed to COVID-19 after having to huddle together in a secure location during last week’s deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

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