U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, has returned to quarantine after his wife tested positive for COVID-19, the congressman’s office announced Wednesday.
Aderholt had emerged from quarantine on Tuesday morning after a possible exposure to the novel coronavirus. However, he never became sick nor tested positive, his office said. He did miss House votes while he was in quarantine.
Related: AL.com’s coverage of coronavirus
Aderholt is the senior member of Alabama’s House delegation and earlier this month was elected to a 13th term in Congress.
“As I had previously let everyone know, I had gone into quarantine after being near someone who later tested positive for COVID-19,” Aderholt said in a statement Wednesday. “I had isolated myself from my wife Caroline and son Robert Hayes as well. (Our daughter Mary Elliott is in school at Auburn.). When my quarantine ended, I was once again around Caroline and Robert Hayes.
“Unfortunately, about the time we were reunited, Caroline began to feel like she was getting a head cold, and late Tuesday she tested positive for Covid-19. Thankfully, she has mild symptoms, and Robert Hayes remains symptom free. I also remain symptom free. However, I will once again, according to medical guidelines, go back into quarantine.”
Aderholt is believed to be the first member of the state’s delegation to have publicly announced a self-imposed quarantine.
Aderholt also noted that the Center for Disease Control & Prevention is considering reducing the exposure quarantine time from 10 to 7 days.
“Hopefully, I will stay well and not have to isolate as long this time,” he said in the statement.