PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona state Sen. Lupe Contrera told a Phoenix TV station Wednesday that he has contracted the coronavirus.
Sen. Lupe Contreras also told KTVK that five of his family members also have COVID-19.
Contreras, a Democrat, is the assistant Senate minority leader and a state representative for District 19.
He’s the first Arizona lawmaker to publicly acknowledge that he has the coronavirus.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
Arizona health officials reported 229 COVID-19 deaths statewide as of Wednesday, the second day in a row that the reported number of deaths increased by 21.
The state Department of Health Services also reported there were at least 5,489 cases statewide, an increase of 208 from Tuesday.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.