State Sen. Brandon Beach Has Coronavirus, Legislature Asked To Quarantine

Members of the Georgia General Assembly are being asked to self-quarantine until the end of the month after State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) told leadership he tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday.

The lawmaker said in a statement that he had a fever and cough last week, but the initial diagnosis was not coronavirus. 

“After experiencing a fever and cough, I sought medical attention last week,” Beach said. “The diagnosis I was given was not coronavirus, but I did get tested for it on Saturday. With medication, I felt better by Monday and thought I was in the clear. Today, however, my test came back positive."
 
 
Beach joined other lawmakers, lobbyists, journalists and members of the public at the crowded capitol and Senate as late as Monday, when the General Assembly met to approve a public health emergency declaration from Gov. Brian Kemp.
 

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In his statement, Beach said that he is at home still suffering from a fever and cough.
 

The disclosure has sent Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and other lawmakers into a self-quarantine through the end of March. 

In a statement, Duncan called suspending the legislative session "the right call" to keep people safe and limit the spread of COVID-19.

"We want to protect our members, their families and the individuals they come in contact with daily. The special session on Monday was absolutely necessary to ratify the governor’s public health state of emergency, and we tried to take serious precautions to keep members safe while at the Capitol."

House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) said in a note to his chamber that House members, staff and joint office staff self-quarantine, "particularly those who were in close contact with the Senator in the last week."

In a press release, Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), Majority Leader Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton) and Minority Leader Steve Henson (D-Tucker) said that both senators and their staff have been asked to stay at home for two weeks, and said other people who may have interacted with the chamber should consult with a doctor if they exhibit symptoms.
 
 
“While not a part of the official recommendation to self-quarantine, members of the public who frequent the Capitol should use their best judgment when making a decision to self-quarantine and should contact their primary care provider if they begin to exhibit any symptoms," the statement said. "At this time, we ask for privacy for the patient and continue to encourage the public to follow the recommendations established by state, local and federal healthcare professionals."