SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State Senator Luz Escamilla has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, her office announced Sunday night.
Escamilla said she was tested after showing symptoms on Friday evening. She and her family are now quarantined, she said.
The state senator and former Salt Lake City Mayoral candidate added that she has asthma, making it a "scary diagnosis." However, she said she is confident she'll make a full recovery.
Escamilla is the first member of the state legislature to test positive for the virus.
"My thoughts and prayers for a complete, speedy recovery are with Sen. Escamilla. I commend her and her family for self-quarantining and taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus," Senate President J. Stuart Adams said in a statement.
Escamilla also released a statement, which read in part:
Although I am pretty sick right now, I am continuing to work to ensure that Utah’s most vulnerable communities are not overlooked during this crisis. Thousands of Utahns are out-of-work through no fault of their own, and our state must take immediate steps to remove the threat of evictions and fees in the event that people are unable to pay rent. We must also identify and address the needs of the truckers, food service workers, grocery workers, childcare providers and others who are proving that they are indeed essential employees. They, along with our medical professionals, custodial workers and others are keeping our world moving during this difficult time. We owe them all a debt of gratitude. Finally, we must see that our tribal communities, communities with limited English proficiency and people experiencing homelessness have the support and resources they will need.
This is a challenging time and there is a lot of uncertainty, but we will get through this. In the meantime, please take this seriously. Even if you are young and healthy, please practice social distancing. If you can stay home, please do. Wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid your eyes, nose and mouth. For more information about COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.utah.gov for the latest updates and recommendations.
