Arizona state senator, 5 family members contract coronavirus

PHOENIX — Arizona state Sen. Lupe Contreras and five of his family members have contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, the senator announced in a press release on Wednesday.

Contreras is a Democratic lawmaker for District 19 and the assistant Senate minority leader. His district covers parts of west Phoenix and the suburban West Valley.

He is the first Arizona lawmaker to publicly address that he has the novel coronavirus.

Contreras and his wife were tested on Monday after first displaying symptoms of coughing, fever and headaches, according to the release.

The couple his since quarantined themselves within their own bedroom and have only been able to speak to their children through the door.

Contreras and his wife also wake up every morning at 4 a.m. and don protective gear in order to sanitize every surface in the home for their children’s safety.

“My only request is that people treat this pandemic as the very real threat that it is,” Contreras said in the release.

“We must have more testing for everyone who needs it, as well as contact tracing.”

On Thursday morning, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported that there are 5,769 cases and 249 deaths related to COVID-19 statewide.

Coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, 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 Associated Press contributed to this report.

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