Freshly re-minted Rep. David Valadao (R–Hanford) isn’t expected to be on the House floor come Monday for the oath of office and commencement of the 117th Congress.
The Hanford dairyman’s return to Washington is delayed after he announced, via Twitter, that he tested positive for COVID-19.
“Yesterday afternoon, I received a rapid antigen COVID-19 test that showed a positive read,” Valadao tweeted. “I am now waiting for the results from my PCR test, which takes longer and is more accurate. I will stay home in the meantime.”
Valadao stated he was remaining home in Hanford out of an abundance of caution for his new Washington-based staff.
The positive test marks the first Valley Congressional representative who has publicly confirmed coronavirus positivity.
In December, Rep. Devin Nunes (R–Tulare) announced he tested positive for the antibodies of coronavirus.
However, the presence of antibodies does not explicitly suggest Nunes contracted coronavirus, as the antibodies can develop from brushes with other viruses.
During a radio interview at the time of his discovery, Nunes said he never noticed any particular symptoms that would be linked to coronavirus or any other infection.
