HOUSTON, Texas – Update:

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is extending his self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution. His initial self-quarantine was set to end Thursday afternoon.

The senator made the announcement Friday, saying although he doesn’t have any symptoms of the virus, he had a second interaction with someone that tested positive for COVID-19.

His full statement can be read below:

“My self-quarantine ended yesterday afternoon. I still have no symptoms and feel fine, and I was looking forward to taking my family out to dinner tonight.

“Unfortunately, last night I was informed I had a second interaction with an individual who yesterday tested positive for COVID-19.

“On March 3, I met in my D.C. office with Santiago Abascal, the leader of the Vox Party in Spain. We met for about 20 minutes, sitting together at a conference table. We shook hands twice and took pictures together.

“My understanding is that Mr. Abascal tested positive for COVID-19 last night. His staff have informed us that he was asymptomatic at the time of our meeting and that several days after our meeting he had extended interactions with another individual who has also tested positive.

“I’m still not feeling any symptoms. I’m consulting with medical officials. But, for the same reasons I initially self-quarantined—out of an abundance of caution and to give everyone peace of mind—I am extending the self-quarantine to March 17, a full fourteen days from my meeting with Mr. Abascal.

“COVID-19 is a serious public health hazard. All of us should resist panic, and we should listen to the doctors and the science. Medical professionals tell us social distancing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of this virus, and we should take every step possible to protect our health and be safe.”

Original:

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, says he recently interacted with an individual that tested positive for COVID-19. Now, he plans to self-quarantine in his own home.

Sen. Cruz issued a statement Sunday evening, saying he was informed Saturday that 10 days ago, he came into contact with an individual that had the coronavirus.

The senator says the only interactions he had with the individual included a brief conversation and a handshake. So far, he says he doesn’t have any symptoms.

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“I’m not experiencing any symptoms, and I feel fine and healthy. Given that the interaction was 10 days ago, that the average incubation period is 5-6 days, that the interaction was for less than a minute, and that I have no current symptoms, the medical authorities have advised me that the odds of transmission from the other individual to me were extremely low," said Sen. Cruz, in part.

Sen. Cruz said just based on his brief interaction with the coronavirus-infected individual, it didn’t meet the Centers for Prevention and Disease Control’s standards to warrant a self-quarantine.

However, out of an abundance of caution, the senator says he will remain in his Texas home, beginning this week, until a full 14 days have passed.

His full statement can be read below:

“Last night, I was informed that 10 days ago at CPAC I briefly interacted with an individual who is currently symptomatic and has tested positive for COVID-19. That interaction consisted of a brief conversation and a handshake.

“I have consulted with medical authorities from the Houston Health Department, the Harris County Public Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as my personal physician. I have also spoken with Vice President Pence, Leader McConnell, and Mark Meadows.

“I’m not experiencing any symptoms, and I feel fine and healthy. Given that the interaction was 10 days ago, that the average incubation period is 5-6 days, that the interaction was for less than a minute, and that I have no current symptoms, the medical authorities have advised me that the odds of transmission from the other individual to me were extremely low.

“The physicians further advised that testing is not effective before symptoms manifest, and my brief interaction with the individual does not meet the CDC criteria for self-quarantine.

“The medical authorities explicitly advised me that, given the above criteria, the people who have interacted with me in the 10 days since CPAC should not be concerned about potential transmission.

“Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, and because of how frequently I interact with my constituents as a part of my job and to give everyone peace of mind, I have decided to remain at my home in Texas this week, until a full 14 days have passed since the CPAC interaction.

“Everyone should continue to treat this outbreak seriously and be driven by facts and medical science. We need to continue to be proactive in mobilizing resources to combat this outbreak—including the $8.3 billion in emergency funding we provided last week—and I encourage everyone to follow the recommendations of the CDC and other health professionals in protecting their own health and welfare, as well as the health and welfare of those around them.”

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