Sen. Durbin becomes latest politician to test positive for COVID-19

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., talks to reporters as he walks to attend the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

URBANA – US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said Thursday morning that he will work remotely after testing positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, the 77-year-old said he is vaccinated against the illness.

“Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated and double boosted and only experiencing minor symptoms,” said Durbin. “Consistent with CDC guidelines, I will quarantine and follow advice from my doctor while I continue to work remotely.”

Durbin’s diagnosis comes one day after President Joe Biden emerged from isolation after contracting COVID-19. Last week, the 79-year-old president tested positive and had mild symptoms. Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, says the president completed his course of treatment with the drug Paxlovid.

Also, last week, Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) announced he experienced mild symptoms after testing positive for coronavirus. He was also prescribed the anti-viral medication Paxlovid.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported on Friday that all but eight counties in the state are experiencing “high” or “medium” levels locally of COVID-19. Health officials urge caution and urge people to wear face coverings indoors.

 

Reginald Hardwick

Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees daily newscasts and online stories. He also manages The 21st Show, a live, weekday talk show that airs on 7 NPR stations throughout Illinois. He is the executive producer of IPM's annual environmental TV special "State of Change." And he is the co-creator of Illinois Soul, IPM's Black-focused audio service that launched in February 2024. Before arriving at IPM in 2019, he served as News Director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent 17 years as a TV news producer and manager at KXAS, the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth. Reginald is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow regional awards, seven regional Emmy awards, and multiple honors from the National Association of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald grew up in Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. Email: rh14@illinois.edu Twitter: @RNewsWILL