Congressman Raul Ruiz tests positive for coronavirus

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Ruiz released a statement revealing that he currently has only mild symptoms and is self-isolating.

“In preparation for attending the inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, I have taken multiple COVID-19 tests over the last 72 hours,” Ruiz said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. “After receiving an initial negative result over the weekend, this morning I tested positive for COVID- 19. While I do have mild symptoms, overall I am feeling well and will self-isolate for the recommended time. Thank you everyone for the well wishes.”

According to ABC News, he is the 7th Congressman to contracted Covid since Jan. 6. Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) have all reported positive test results as well since Jan. 6.

Luiz told our local News Channel 3 after he was evacuated from the Capitol that as a doctor, he wanted to make sure to check in on other members of Congress while they were barricaded.

Ruiz represents the 36th District that stretches across much of Riverside County, from San Jacinto east to California’s border with Arizona.