One member of the state’s Congressional delegation is now self-quarantining after coming into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. 

Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) issued a statement on Wednesday sharing that he started self-quarantining on Sunday after interacting with a family friend who tested positive for COVID-19. 

Cartwright, who said he hasn’t developed any symptoms, will be self-quarantining at home for the next 14 days. 

“This morning, I received confirmation that a family friend I interacted with over the weekend has tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, I began self-quarantining in my home on Sunday as soon as I found out that the friend started showing symptoms consistent with this new virus,” Cartwright said in a press release. “I have not developed any symptoms myself since coming into contact with them, but I will remain at home for the next two weeks in order to ensure I do not pass it along to anyone else. The last thing I would want to do is spread this further to my family, friends, constituents, colleagues or staff.”

He added in the statement that he believes the best way he can lead right now is by example and that his office remains accessible via phone for consituents. 

“Serving northeastern Pennsylvania in Congress is an honor and a privilege, and I regret that I cannot be out on the front lines alongside the other leaders in this area who are working so hard to fight this outbreak,” Cartwright said in the release. “But I believe the best way I can lead right now is by example. That means heeding the advice of the medical experts, who say that self-quarantining if you believe you have been exposed is essential to slowing the spread of this virus.”

“My office remains accessible via phone for constituents,” Cartwright said. “I will continue to work from home and remain engaged remotely in Congressional efforts to fight this pandemic.”

This morning, I received confirmation that someone I interacted with over the weekend has tested positive for #COVID19. I’m not showing any symptoms, but out of caution, I am self-quarantining. Know that I’ll continue to work hard to fight this pandemic. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/jaoVJXZG2H

— Matt Cartwright (@RepCartwright) March 18, 2020