NYC Congressional Challenger Tests Positive For Coronavirus

NEW YORK, NY — A candidate challenging one of New York City's longtime congressional representatives revealed Monday that he tested positive for coronavirus and is calling for a policy of universal testing for the deadly disease.

Suraj Patel, who's running to replace Carolyn Maloney in New York's 12th congressional district after a getting 41% of the vote in a 2018 challenge, revealed his diagnosis Monday in the "interest of transparency and accountability" according to his statement. Patel said that he was tested about 10 days ago after feeling tightness in his chest and a regular fever above 102 degrees.

Patel was able to get tested because he lives with two doctors "whose ability to return to work was dependent on our household remaining COVID-free," according to his statement. Patel's brother, an emergency room doctor, administered the test at their home.

"I personally, am happy to say that I am now fully recovered and have been asymptomatic for more days than hospital guidelines require to go back to work," Patel said in a statement.

In his statement, Patel commended officials such as Gov. Andrew Cuomo for implementing social distancing measures to slow the spread of coronavirus but also said that more testing is needed to combat the disease. Patel cited widespread at-home testing efforts in the UK and successful universal testing programs in countries such as South Korea as examples the United States could follow.

"The only proven way to slow and eventually stop this pandemic is to have an accurate picture of who has had the disease, who currently has it, and who is still at risk," Patel said in a statement.

Patel added that since his recovery he is planning to donate plasma at Mount Sinai hospital to assist in efforts to use coronavirus antibodies to treat coronavirus patients.

Longtime New York Congress Member Carolyn Maloney defeated Patel by getting 58% of the vote compared to Patel's 41% during the 2018 Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District, which spans much of the east side of Manhattan as well as parts of North Brooklyn and Western Queens.

Also in the race for New York's 12th Congressional District are Democratic Socialists of America member and housing activist Peter Harrison and former JPMorgan project manager Lauren Ashcraft.