California Assembly Delays Session After Legislator Tests Positive For Coronavirus

A coronavirus outbreak among people working in the California state Capitol has indefinitely delayed the state Assembly’s return to work from a scheduled summer recess. 

Speaker Anthony Rendon’s office confirmed five people who work for the state Assembly have tested positive for the coronavirus including Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, according to the Associated Press. It's believed she contracted the virus while on the Assembly floor last month.

"Currently, my daughter and I have no symptoms, but will be remaining in quarantine until released by a doctor," Burke wrote on Twitter.

(2/2) Currently, my daughter and I have no symptoms, but will be remaining in quarantine until released by a doctor.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with well wishes. We are fine, but it is of the utmost importance that everyone stay safe, be healthy & remain vigilant.

— Autumn Burke (@autumnrburke) July 6, 2020

Rendon says the Assembly will stay in recess until further notice. He said the decision is to protect lawmakers, staff and the public.

The Legislature shut down for nearly two months earlier this year during the pandemic. Over the next week, the building will be cleaned and sanitized.

The delay comes as cases and hospitalizations continue to surge across the state. California reported nearly 5,700 new cases on Sunday, and hospitalizations have increased 50% in the past 14 days to 5,800.

Last week Gov. Gavn Newsom said the state would ramp up enforcement of coronavirus-related restrictions. On Monday he said regulators made roughly 6,000 in-person visits over the holiday weekend to bars, restaurants and other businesses to enforce safety requirements. Overall, 52 citations were issued to businesses.

This is a developing story and will be updated.