Rep. Andy Kim Quarantines After Contact With Coronavirus Patient

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Andy Kim will self-quarantine for two weeks, he announced Thursday. Kim came into direct contact with a member of Congress who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Two members of the House of Representatives have tested positive for the virus as of Thursday afternoon. Florida's Mario Diaz-Balart and Utah's Ben McAdams announced their positive test results Wednesday.

Kim had direct contact Friday with McAdams in an office — not on the House Floor — according to Anthony DeAngelo, Kim's spokesperson. He has not had any direct contact with constituents since then.

"Last week, on March 10th, the Congressman announced that he was cancelling his in-person town hall and started to move in-person meetings to telephone calls in line with state and CDC guidelines," DeAngelo told Patch in a statement. "Since that time, he has held a telephone-town hall and is holding regular calls with constituents."

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

“Now is the time to be safe and to take all precautions for each other,” Kim said in a statement. “In the past few hours, I’ve received word that a Member of Congress, who I was in direct contact with, tested positive for COVID-19."

Kim said he would continue to work full-time for his district, which covers Ocean and Burlington Counties.

In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy announced 318 new cases of the coronavirus Thursday, raising the state total to 742. The virus has killed nine in New Jersey as of Thursday afternoon. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy: 4 More NJ Coronavirus Deaths, 318 New Cases