Bob Casey tests positive for coronavirus antibodies
Sen. Bob Casey said Friday that he tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, the second senator this week to do so.
In a statement, the Pennsylvania Democrat said he self-quarantined this spring, after experiencing a low-grade fever and mild flu-like symptoms. Casey said he was never tested for coronavirus because the symptoms went away by mid-April.
Last week, Casey received an antibody test to determine whether he had the virus and could donate blood plasma.
“This positive test means that I likely had COVID-19 at some point over the last several months and have since developed an antibody response to the virus,” Casey said. “The results of this test revealed substantial levels of COVID-19 antibody in my blood, significantly more than the amount required to qualify me as a plasma donor.”
Casey’s statement comes one day after Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said he and his wife also tested positive for coronavirus antibodies. While Casey and Kaine’s antibody test results suggest they had the coronavirus, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is the only senator who has tested positive for the disease.
Casey pledged to donate blood plasma to help others combat the illness and said he will continue to wear a mask and social distance.
The Senate is set to return next week to Washington, which began its first phase of reopening Friday.
