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First State Lawmaker Tests Positive For COVID Since Session Start

State Capitol in Pierre

A state lawmaker is testing positive for COVID-19.

It’s the first reported case of the coronavirus since the legislative session began just under a month ago.

Republican Representative Aaron Aylward, of Harrisburg tested positive Sunday morning.

Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch says all members of the House have been contacted.

“We’re going to allow for remote participation for any one in direct contact until they’re able to get tested,” Gosch says. “Anybody that’s showing any sort of symptom of anything, we’re asking to get tested. We’ve already had members get tested. Every result that’s coming back is coming back negative at the moment. We’ll keep pushing on as planned before and go from there.”

The South Dakota House of Representatives strongly encourages mask wearing in spaces controlled by that legislative body.

In the Senate, masks are required for members of the public. Masks aren’t mandatory for Senators.

Lee Strubinger is SDPB’s Rapid City-based politics and public policy reporter. Lee is a two-time national Edward R. Murrow Award winning reporter. He holds a master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.