Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tests positive
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday before he was supposed to greet President Donald Trump.
DeWine took a COVID-19 test as part of the protocol to meet Trump on the tarmac at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland. Trump planned to tour the Whirlpool plant in Clyde, Ohio, before attending a private fundraiser in Bratenahl.
DeWine, 73, has no symptoms at the present time, according to a news release. He is returning to Columbus where he and First Lady Fran DeWine will both be tested.
DeWine plans to quarantine at his home in Cedarville for the next 14 days.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted also took a COVID-19 test but tested negative.
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DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said Thursday it was not known where the governor might have contracted the virus. Most of DeWine’s staff has been working from home since March.
“He’s been communicating remotely,” Tierney said. “He’s kept the circle small on other staff.”
DeWine, a Republican, has for months urged Ohioans to stay home as much as possible, keep distance from others and wear masks. He has conducted his regular press briefings in a separate room from reporters since March 23 and limited the staff in the same room to abide by limits on large gatherings.
DeWine isn’t the first governor to test positive for COVID-19. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced he had the disease several weeks ago. Last month, DeWine’s state prisons’ director, Annette Chambers-Smith, announced she received a positive COVID-19 test result after feeling slight symptoms.
DeWine, Fran and Husted were swabbed for a viral coronavirus test during a June 23 press conference. Those tests came back negative the next day.
The White House uses rapid coronavirus tests that deliver results in minutes. White House policy requires everyone to be tested before coming into contact with the president.
This story will be updated.
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