WSIL -- Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-115th District) is speaking out about his battle with COVID-19 days after his diagnosis.
Bost received a positive COVID-19 test late last Thursday night and has been in quarantine ever since. The Murphysboro native experienced allergies, lost his sense of taste and smell and compared his symptoms to a bad cold.
"I'm pretty well over that part of it," Bost said. "I still haven't gotten my taste and smell back but it felt like a chest cold."
Bost's wife, Tracy, also tested positive and had to undergo extensive treatments because she also had pneumonia. She received IV therapy, antibodies and strong steroids as treatment. Bost only received steroids.
CONTACT TRACING
Contact tracing efforts are underway to figure out where Bost contracted the virus.
In the past two weeks, Bost campaigned across his district, including Alton, Jackson County, the Metro East area, Murphysboro, O'Fallon and Randolph County. He was also in Washington, D.C.
Bost's Facebook campaign page shared photos of him campaigning door-to-door in Bethalto. Bost doesn't believe he contracted the virus while campaigning.
Mike Bost For Congress Facebook Page
"We were following strict guidelines from the towns that we were walking in," Bost said. "I wasn't making physical contact with people. I was actually going door-to-door laying brochures down."
Mike Bost For Congress Facebook Page
Five of Bost's staff members have also quarantined but none have tested positive for the virus. Bost is the latest in a list of politicians to test positive for COVID-19, including President .
Bost says social distancing and wearing masks when necessary can help contain the spread, but says only a vaccine can help people 'return to a normal life'.
"I've always said it's something to take seriously," Bost said.
