Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Reese tests positive for coronavirus

State Rep. Mike Reese, who represents parts of Westmoreland and Somerset counties, is the latest Pennsylvania lawmaker to announce a positive coronavirus test.

“I recently learned I have tested positive for covid-19,” Reese said in a statement. “I have been quarantining for the last week awaiting my test results, and with the positive test will remain in quarantine until I have recovered. I am grateful to report my symptoms were mild and are subsiding.”

Reese was last in the state Capitol three weeks ago, according to his office. His district offices in Mt. Pleasant and Ligonier will remain open.

Reese was elected majority caucus chairman by the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus last month.

The Mt. Pleasant Township resident represents the 59th district, which includes Bolivar, Donegal borough and township, Laurel Mountain, Ligonier borough and township, New Florence, Seward, Cook, Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant Township, St. Clair and portions of Hempfield and Unity.

He recently won reelection to a seventh term, running unopposed.

He is at least the eighth Pennsylvania lawmaker to contract the virus since the start of the pandemic.

Two Republican state senators — Doug Mastriano of Franklin County and Judy Ward of Blair County — recently tested positive.

Mastriano was criticized for ignoring coronavirus protocols when he hosted a large meeting on Nov. 25 to discuss unfounded claims of fraud in the presidential election. The meeting featured numerous state lawmakers and President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who later tested positive for the virus.

Later that day, Mastriano visited the White House to meet with Trump, where he received a rapid coronavirus test.

He learned of his positive result while in the White House and had to leave, the Associated Press reported.