Mayor Greg Fischer and Congressman John Yarmuth test negative for coronavirus

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth have tested negative for the novel coronavirus. 

Yarmuth tweeted Monday that he tested negative for the virus. Fischer sent out a news release soon after that he also tested negative. Yarmuth, Fischer, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and University of Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi attended an event at the Speed Art Museum with two guests who later tested positive for the novel coronavirus. 

"I plan to continue working from home and will avoid going out in order to do my part as we all work to practice safe and precautionary distancing to help defeat this," Yarmuth tweeted Monday. 

In a Skype interview with WDRB's Lawrence Smith, Yarmuth said he was in close proximity to Christy Brown during the fundraiser. Smith was one of the individuals who tested positive for the virus.

"Actually, I was sitting right next to her at the dinner," Yarmuth said. "So for an hour or so, I was sitting right next to her. Gov. Beshear was directly across the table from her. The mayor was relatively in close proximity as well, for a while. But we were very conscious -- from the time we got there -- about not shaking hands, not hugging, doing any of that. And Christy was not coughing or sneezing in any way at that time."

Fischer and  Bendapudi are also self-quarantining after learning of the patients. 

"I will continue to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure, which runs through March 21," Fischer said in a news release. "In the meantime, I’m working from home, in constant communication with my staff and others in the community as we work through this crisis. I urge all to adhere to the health department guidelines about protecting yourself and your community."

Another individual who was at the fundraiser and is now in a self-imposed quarantine is Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Angela Bisig. 

"You know, fortunately for the Speed, it was a large event," Judge Bisig told WDRB's Lawrence Smith in a Skype interview. "So I don't know that I ever sat near either of the individuals that have been identified as having the actual virus. I didn't speak with either one of them. I did not shake their hands."

Bisig says she wants to get a coronavirus test but was told by state officials that, despite her prominent position, she does not qualify, because she is not showing any symptoms.

"I was told unless I was experiencing symptoms, that there's not sufficient tests out there just to test people who are symptom-free, and I understand that," she said. "Obviously we want our resources going to those who are sick first. It's regrettable though. I wish I could be tested only because if I could get a test and be negative, I would feel comfortable going back to work and seeing the people I need to in court."

Of course, court activity is greatly reduced because of the virus.