Republican Representative Mike Bost of Murphysboro says he was tested after experiencing a mild cough and loss of taste and smell.
The congressman from Illinois’ 12th district is in the middle of a re-election campaign. After learning his test results, Bost says he is postponing public appearances and will instead conduct virtual events while staying home. Staff in close contact with him will quarantine and Bost’s office is reaching out to constituents he’s met with in recent days.
In a statement, Bost says he is taking the situation seriously. Bost says he never had a fever.
Since March, at least twenty-one other members of Congress have either tested positive for the coronavirus disease or had a presumed case, including G-O-P Congressman Rodney Davis, who represents part of Central Illinois. After testing positive in August, Davis says he's recovered.
