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Tennessee Democratic leader tests positive for COVID-19

House members prepare to leave the chamber on the first day of a special session Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The special session was called by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to pass liability reforms to protect businesses from lawsuits prompted by reopening after the coronavirus quarantine. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
House members prepare to leave the chamber on the first day of a special session Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The special session was called by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to pass liability reforms to protect businesses from lawsuits prompted by reopening after the coronavirus quarantine. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) House members prepare to leave the chamber on the first day of a special session Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The special session was called by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to pass liability reforms to protect businesses from lawsuits prompted by reopening after the coronavirus quarantine. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

By Associated Press 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee’s top Democratic House leader has tested positive for COVID-19, the lawmaker’s office said on Thursday.

Minority Leader Karen Camper began feeling ill upon arriving in Nashville on Aug. 10 for the first day of the legislative special session. The Memphis Democrat attended that evening’s House floor session, but did not attend the remainder of the three-day session.

A spokesman for the Democratic caucus said Camper’s initial COVID-19 test showed that the virus was “non-detectable.”

“As a precautionary measure, she returned to Memphis and immediately went into quarantine for the safety of her colleagues and her family. It was subsequently determined that she had contracted the virus,” said Ken Jobe, spokesman for the House Democrats, in a statement.

Camper is now resting and recovering at home.