Two coronavirus cases known at NC legislature as rumors stir worry

The legislature's trust deficit, maskless Republicans and a hospitalized lawmaker set some on edge.

Posted 4:09 p.m. Aug 16, 2021 — Updated 12:42 a.m. Aug 17, 2021

Travis Fain

, WRAL statehouse reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — Rumors of a coronavirus outbreak set some members of the General Assembly on edge this weekend. WRAL News has confirmed two cases and an additional negative test.

One became well known last week: Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort, was hospitalized at the Beaufort County Hospital. Kidwell’s wife was hospitalized before him, and local supporters gathered Friday evening in the hospital parking lot to pray.

Multiple sources told WRAL that Kidwell has since been released from the hospital and that his wife is expected to be released soon, as well. Kidwell himself did not immediately return a text message Monday morning.

The other known case at the legislature involves an unidentified, vaccinated member of Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger’s staff, according to Berger spokesman Pat Ryan.

Ryan confirmed the case Monday morning and said close contacts were informed. He said this is a breakthrough case and that most, if not all, of Berger’s staff is vaccinated.

“To my knowledge, no wide or widespread outbreak,” Ryan said Monday morning.

On the House side, Speaker Tim Moore’s chief of staff, Neal Inman, said in an email Monday that the office “is not aware of any members or staff with COVID other than Rep. Kidwell.”

Some Democratic House members expressed concern over the weekend, as did some lobbyists who heard about the Senate staff case through the grapevine. One House Democrat, who asked not to be identified, said they were worried about coming to the Legislative Building this week.

A lot of Democrats have returned to wearing masks in the building, while Republicans largely have not. After another legislator asked on the House floor last week for members to pray for Kidwell and his family, Moore, R-Cleveland, noted that other lawmakers had health concerns and needed prayers, but he did not elaborate.

Most state lawmakers, and particularly Republicans, did not respond three weeks ago when WRAL asked whether they were vaccinated. Some Republican members – it’s not clear how many – traveled to Utah later that week for the annual American Legislative Exchange Council meeting, a gathering of conservative lawmakers from around the country.

Rep. Deb Butler, D-New Hanover, tweeted Sunday that she had it “on pretty good authority that there are multiple cases of COVID (among) staffers and members.”

“It is imperative that full, complete, unfettered & accurate information be shared with all employees, members and legislative staff,” Butler tweeted. “Anything short of that is criminal.”

Butler told WRAL on Monday that she heard about the cases from another lawmaker who she wasn’t comfortable identifying.

Some concerns may stem from the fact five House members missed last week’s budget votes. Those votes were among the biggest of this lengthy legislative session and split over two days, Wednesday and Thursday.

Rep. Graig Meyer, D-Orange, said he missed the votes because of “a long planned family vacation.” A staffer for Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke, said he was celebrating his wedding anniversary. Rep. Dana Bumgardner, R-Gaston, hasn't yet answered a Monday morning email.

Rep. Mitchell Setzer, R-Catawba, said in an email that he “took a COVID test and was advised to go home.”

“Thankfully, the COVID test was negative, but the severe sinus infection was not,” Setzer said.

Kidwell was the fifth member to miss both votes, though a sixth member, Rep. Phil Shepard, R-Onslow, missed the second vote Thursday. Shepard said Monday morning that he had prior plans and that he has not been infected.

“Thankfully, I haven’t had any problems with it at all,” Shepard said. “The only person I know that’s got COVID is Keith, and I understand he’s doing much better.”

The budget cleared the House by a healthy margin, and with some bipartisan support, 72-41.

The legislature has a limited schedule, at least early this week. The House doesn’t plan any floor votes Monday or Tuesday. The Senate gathers, as usual for a Monday, at 7 p.m.

Update: The Senate gaveled into session at 4 p.m. as planned, but instead of adjourning until 7 p.m. when votes are normally taken on Mondays, leadership moved the evening calendar to Tuesday. There won't be votes in the Senate until then. Berger spokeswoman Lauren Horsch said this was planned, has nothing to do with COVID-19, and was announced to Senators Friday.

Each chamber has one committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday before things pick up Wednesday.

WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie contributed to this report.

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