State Rep. Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland.
State Rep. Stephanie Howse announced Monday afternoon she had tested positive for COVID-19, the first known Ohio legislator to have contracted the virus.
Howse, a Democrat from Cleveland, shared the diagnosis in a video posted to Facebook and Twitter.
Howse said she had a few “mild” symptoms and hopes to make a full recovery.
“I have an obligation, being a public figure, to spread this information,” she said in the video.
Hey Beautiful People, wanted to let you know that it was just confirmed that I have tested positive for the coronavirus. My symptoms (cough, lost of taste and lost of smell) are pretty mild and prayerfully I will make a full recovery#StephRonaLife pic.twitter.com/m9deLSDZdR
— Stephanie Howse (@stephaniehowse) July 6, 2020
Howse represents a portion of Cuyahoga County, which has seen the second-most number of cases of any county in Ohio (nearly 8,000 as of Monday).
The state of Ohio has recorded approximately 58,000 confirmed cases over the past few months. This includes 2,927 deaths and a cumulative total of 8,249 hospitalizations.
Colleagues in both parties wished Howse a speedy recovery.
Thinking of you, my friend. Get well fast!!
— Rep. Casey Weinstein (@RepWeinstein) July 6, 2020
@stephaniehowse, wishing you a safe and speedy recovery!
— Jon Cross (@joncrossoh) July 6, 2020
The Ohio House of Representatives is currently on break, with no legislative sessions scheduled until September.
Howse’s positive test follows that of an Ohio Senate staffer from two weeks ago.
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