Arlington congressman had fever, flu-like symptoms. His coronavirus test was negative.
U.S. Rep. Ron Wright woke up Saturday morning with a fever and flu-like symptoms.
The Arlington Republican had been in Washington, D.C., the day before, voting on the federal stimulus package known as the CARES Act. So he talked to his doctor and then headed to the Emergency Room.
He went through five hours of various tests, including one for coronavirus.
“On Sunday morning, I received the news that I thankfully tested negative for COVID-19 but do have a mild case of pneumonia,” Wright, 66, said in a prepared statement. “I never would have thought I’d be happy to hear a positive pneumonia diagnosis.”
Wright has been undergoing medical treatment since he learned he had stage 4 lung cancer in 2018 and has said his prognosis looks good.
Wright represents the 6th congressional district, which includes parts of east and southwest Fort Worth, most of Arlington and Mansfield and all of Ellis and Navarro counties. He is a former Arlington city councilman and former Tarrant County tax assessor collector.
Now, he said, he will self-quarantine for the coming weeks.
“I will continue to perform my Congressional duties from my home in Arlington, and my District and D.C. staff will remain available by phone to serve the constituents of the 6th District,” he said in his statement. “I encourage everyone to continue practicing social distancing and following CDC and Texas DSHS guidelines to keep our communities safe.”
Wright also said he thanks the health care providers at Medical City Arlington and across the country who are working to help the sick and those with the coronavirus.
“I know that together we will defeat COVID-19,” he said. “God bless.”
This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 4:21 PM.
