Washington (CNN) An employee in Sen. Maria Cantwell's office has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the first publicly known case of a congressional staffer with the disease.

A statement from Cantwell's offices said the staffer had no known contact with the Washington state Democrat or other members of Congress.

"The individual has been in isolation since starting to have symptoms. On the advice of the Attending Physician, the senator has closed her Washington, D.C. office this week for deep cleaning and staff will be teleworking," the statement said.

Cantwell requested that other staffers who may have been in contact with the individual or who show symptoms be tested, according to the statement.

While the case marks the first publicly known instance of a congressional staffer with the virus, seven other members of Congress have taken steps to isolate themselves amid the outbreak as a precaution.

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