Two Republican members of North Carolina's congressional delegation have returned to work in Washington after both tested positive recently for COVID-19.
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk tested positive the week of Nov. 23, communications director Alex Ives said on Monday. Rep. Ted Budd of Advance said last week he received a similar coronavirus diagnosis.
Ives said it's highly likely the 77-year-old Foxx likely became infected after she was exposed to her immediate family, particularly since a COVID test that Foxx took earlier that week was negative.
Foxx, who won her ninth term to the 5th Congressional District seat last month, was asymptomatic and stayed clear of the public and staff during her quarantine period, Ives wrote. She was cleared by health department officials and resumed her U.S. House duties in Washington on Monday, according to Ives.
Budd, who will start his third term representing the 13th District next month, has been recovering at his Davie County farm. He said he had mild symptoms.
In a video message released on Monday, Budd said he was been medically cleared by the Attending Physician of Congress to return to Washington, from where Budd said he was speaking.
“I'm happy to report that I've been medically cleared by the attending physician of the U.S. Congress to return here to Washington D.C.,” Budd said. “I'm incredibly thankful for all the prayers and the well wishes that came out way in the last week and I can't wait to get back to the people's work.”
