According to a press release Friday, the asymptomatic employee took a test out of precaution because of a vulnerable person in their household. This was after they learned that one of the attendees of a personal event they attended last week had the virus. 

 

Rep. Clarke was not exposed to this employee and does not have COVID-19, according to the press release. 

“We are in unprecedented times with COVID-19 and learning the lengthy time it took for my staffer’s test results to come back is disconcerting," said Clarke. "I care very deeply for each of my staffers because they help make the work for New York’s 9th Congressional District possible. As we face uncertainty in these trying times, I am working tirelessly to make sure our community receives timely, adequate care. Now more than ever, as we are seeing firsthand with my office, it’s important we each do our part to self-quarantine if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. I thank our front line workers--from health care staff to grocery store workers--for coming to work during this time so the rest of us can stay home to help flatten the curve."