The head of the Federal Aviation Administration will self-quarantine for a week, after he shook hands with Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart days before the Florida Republican developed coronavirus symptoms, the agency confirmed this morning.
Steve Dickson and Diaz-Balart shook hands before an appropriations hearing on March 11. Diaz-Balart has said that he developed a headache and fever the night of March 14. He and Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) are the first members of Congress to test positive for the coronavirus.
When asked Wednesday night about Dickson’s interaction with Diaz-Balart, FAA spokesperson Brianna Manzelli said Dickson was “feeling fine.”
Reuters reported today that Dickson said in a message to employees that he hasn’t been tested because he doesn’t have any symptoms.
Separately, the Department of Transportation confirmed its first case of coronavirus this morning. The agency informed employees via email that “effective immediately and until further notice, we are mandating that all employees not report to duty at the DOT headquarters unless specifically notified by your manager.”
The affected employee works on the third floor of the west building, which is where the Federal Railroad Administration offices are located. That person has not been in the office since last Thursday and is receiving medical care, and the department is working to notify those who worked closely with that person.
