U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies, pledges to donate plasma
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D- Pa., likely had the coronavirus — following a positive antibody test on Wednesday afternoon.
Casey announced Friday that he self-quarantined for two weeks this spring, after showcasing a low-grade fever and mild flu-like symptoms. Though he was never tested for COVID-19, Casey said his symptoms went away in mid-April.
Casey received an antibody test last week to determine whether he had the virus and if he could donate blood plasma, according to a release from the senator’s office.
“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 in a statement. “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 announcement comes two days after Republican state Rep. Andrew Lewis announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus.
Casey plans to make his first blood plasma donation on Friday in Lackawanna County to help others combat the virus.
The Senate is expected to return to Washington next week, as it begins its first phase of reopening.
“I will continue to follow the guidance of public health experts by wearing a mask in public and observing social distancing practices, and I hope that others will do the same to help slow the spread of this virus,” Casey said.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 12:38 PM.
