Gazelka: Senate GOP Could’ve Handled COVID-19 Differently

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota's Senate majority leader says his caucus could've handled positive COVID-19 cases among Republican senators differently.

Sen. Paul Gazelka is among Republican senators who have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days.

Gazelka was criticized for not sharing news of those positive tests and possible exposures with Democratic colleagues in advance of a special session last week. He was also criticized for holding a post-election event that dozens attended.

Gazelka says in a statement Tuesday that he is committed to protecting senators, staff and others and he'll apply lessons learned to the 2021 legislative session.

Minnesota reported nearly 6,000 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, and an additional 26 deaths.