Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz has tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, indicating that he had the coronavirus at one point.
News of Gaetz’s results comes a day after White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows confirmed he has the virus. The United States is approaching 10 million cases and 240,000 deaths from the pandemic.
The outspoken Trump ally from the Florida Panhandle, who cruised to a third term Tuesday, told USA TODAY Saturday morning that he has tested “positive for antibodies” though not the live virus.
In a series of texts, Gaetz wrote that he has “no symptoms.” He said he has no plans to quarantine and does not know where he picked up the antibodies.
“No symptoms. Feel great. Going paddle boarding today,” he texted.
In March, Gaetz was accused of making light of the coronavirus outbreak when he wore a gas mask in Congress after one of his constituents died from the COVID-19 disease.
“Made light?!?! I was quite serious," the Florida Republican tweeted Sunday in response to a Washington Post headline that claimed he had been doing exactly that. "The threat to Congress is real, as I explained based on travel and habits like selfies and handshakes.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID-19: Matt Gaetz tests positive for coronavirus antibodies