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SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Mike Lee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Utah Republican announced his positive test on Twitter Friday morning. Lee said he had symptoms Thursday that were consistent with longtime allergies.
"Out of an abundance of caution, I sought medical advice and was tested for COVID-19. Unlike the test I took just a few days ago while visiting the White House, yesterday's test came back positive," he said.
Lee, 49, said he will remain isolated for the next 10 days, following the advice of the U.S. Senate physician.
"Like so many other Utahns, I will now spend part of 2020 working from home," he said.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) October 2, 2020
Lee added that he plans to be back to work on the Senate Judiciary Committee in time to advance the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick, out of the committee and into the full senate. Lee met with Barrett on Tuesday, but the judge tested negative for COVID-19 Friday, according to NPR.
News of Lee's positive COVID-19 tests comes just hours after Trump announced he and First Lady Melania Trump also tested positive for the disease. Earlier Thursday, Trump's advisor Hope Hicks had tested positive. Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence tested negative for COVID-19 Friday.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who participated in a debate with Trump earlier in the week, tested negative for COVID-19 Friday, he tweeted. Biden's wife Jill Biden also tested negative. Democrat vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris has also tested negative, NPR reported.
Harris and Pence are scheduled to debate at the University of Utah next week.
Lee did not say if he had previously come in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Lee's congressional cohort Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, offered a message of support Friday.
"Wishing my friend @SenMikeLee a speedy recovery," Romney tweeted. "As Utah continues to see high numbers of new cases, I encourage all Utahns to continue following public health guidance, including wearing masks and practicing proper social distancing."
Gov. Gary Herbert and his wife Jeanette sent Lee their best wishes.
"May you have a quick and full recovery," Herbert wrote in a tweet.
