Utah Rep. Ben McAdams speaks during a news conference announcing he will vote to impeach President Donald Trump Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, in Murray, Utah. McAdams said Trump abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, and he “cannot turn a blind eye” to his actions. “What the president did was wrong,” he said, reading from a statement. McAdams did not take questions. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, an announcement that comes shortly after the first known case in Congress.

McAdams said he first became sick with “mild, cold-like symptoms” shortly after returning to Salt Lake City from Washington on Saturday. He went to his doctor the next day and began isolating himself at home and holding meetings on the phone.

After his symptoms got worse, including a fever, a dry cough and labored breathing, he was tested at a local clinic and received his result on Wednesday. The number of people in Utah with the virus rose to 64 on Wednesday, 10 of them visitors from outside the state. Restaurants and bars are closed for dine-in service statewide, and schools are closed.

McAdams said in a statement he is still working from home “until I know it is safe to end my self-quarantine.” He urged residents to “take this seriously and follow the health recommendations” coming from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and other health experts.

McAdams was elected in 2018 in the Republican-leaning district. He bested Mia Love, the first black female Republican in Congress, by less than 700 votes as part of a wave of Democrats around the country winning in suburban districts and re-taking control of the U.S. House.

A moderate, he could have an uphill battle to hold the 4th District seat in November. Republicans challenging him including state legislator Kim Coleman and former NFL player Burgess Owens.

McAdams previously served as Salt Lake County mayor and a state lawmaker. His district includes parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties.

The first member of congress to test positive was Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida. Others have self-quarantined, but none have reported positive test results.



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