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AIPAC says DC conference attendees may have had past contact with coronavirus patient

The individual with coronavirus did not attend the conference in DC, and the group who potentially had contact has been added to self-quarantine list.

WASHINGTON — Attendees of the 2020 AIPAC Policy Conference hosted in D.C. received a follow-up email Wednesday alerting them to a possible coronavirus connection. A group from New York who attended the conference held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Sunday to Tuesday were "potentially in contact prior to the conference with an individual who contracted coronavirus," according to an email sent from AIPAC's president and chairman of the board. 

The individual with coronavirus did not attend the conference, and the group from New York has been added to self-quarantine list. 

The email stressed that to AIPAC's knowledge, no one who attended the conference has tested positive for coronavirus at this time. According to AIPAC, they are in close contact with the DC Department of Health, who said there is "no reason to sound the alarm," as they said they consider this a "low-risk exposure."

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D.C. DOH is working with the CDC and New York's Department of Health to monitor the situation.

"We appreciate the event organizers practicing an abundance of caution as we all work to be as communicative as possible," Mayor Bowser’s Director of Communications, Latoya Foster, said. "While DC Health considers this a low-risk exposure, we urge everyone to follow the well-established hygiene tips including but not limited to stay home if you’re sick, wash your hands with soap and water regularly, cough into your arm or shoulder and call ahead to your healthcare provider if you suspect symptoms. DC Health will remain in contact with the event organizer as we monitor this situation." 

AIPAC shared the full email on their Twitter, and said the email was sent to conference attendees, participants, speakers, and administration and Hill offices. 

Approximately 18,000 were expected to attend the conference, according to AIPAC's website, including members of Congress, such as Rep. Steny Hoyer, and students from across the country. 

WUSA9 has reached out to D.C.'s DOH for comment. 

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