Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Monday she tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing flu-like symptoms, although she did not specify the timing of the test, and is quarantining at home in Alaska.
“I will be following guidance and advice from doctors and will be quarantining at home in Alaska while continuing my work remotely,” she wrote in a post on her Facebook page.
Among her recent activities, Murkowski participated in campaign events in Fairbanks on Friday and Saturday as she seeks re-election with the Aug. 16 primary on the horizon. Her most recent Senate activity was advancing a bill of hers Thursday out of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources — with fellow committee member Sen. Joe Manchin also announcing Monday he tested positive for COVID-19, although it is not known if their cases are related.
Murkowski is vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, said Karina Borger, a spokesperson for the senator.
Murkowski’s announcement comes several days after President Joe Biden announced he tested positive for COVID-19, but Borger said there are no overlapping events or appearances to suggest any connection.
“The senator participated in the Golden Days Parade this past Saturday, and a Fairbanks Office opening on Friday,” Shea Siegert, a spokesperson and communications director, stated in an email. “The campaign is reaching out to anyone who may have been at these events to notify them.”
“No campaign staff have tested positive for coronavirus and we will continue to monitor this,” Siegert added. Murkowski is scheduled to campaign this weekend in Haines and campaign staff testing negative for the virus will travel there as scheduled, with Murkowski’s participation dependent on her virus status.
• Contact reporter Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com.
