Cory Gardner to self-quarantine

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) said Tuesday that he will self-quarantine after coming into contact with a constituent who later tested positive for the coronavirus.

“While I am not showing any symptoms at this time, I have made the decision to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution with an effective date of March 11 at the recommendation of the Tri-County Health Department,” Gardner said in a statement.

Gardner noted that he was alerted on Tuesday by Tri-County Health Department “that a Coloradan who visited my Washington office for a constituent meeting has tested positive for coronavirus.”

Gardner is the latest senator to self-quarantine after coming into contact with an individual who tested positive for the coronavirus. Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have also self-quarantined.

Garder was spotted earlier Tuesday in a gaggle with congressional reporters. He also attended a closed-door GOP policy lunch with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Two congressional staffers — one in the House and one in the Senate — have tested positive for the virus; no lawmakers have tested positive.

But there are growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus on Capitol Hill.

The House is on a one-week break and it’s unclear when they will return.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have been having leadership and caucus meetings via teleconference, and Republicans have moved their in-person meetings to larger rooms to give members more space.