Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tests positive for coronavirus — and then tests negative on second test
DeWine was tested as part of the “standard protocol” to greet Trump on the tarmac at Burke Lakefront Airport, the governor’s office said in a statement. He returned to Columbus, where he and his wife Fran were both to be tested.
That second test came back negative, DeWine’s official account announced on Twitter.
“A PCR test was administered to the Governor and members of his staff this afternoon. The PCR test looks for the specific RNA for the SARS CoV-2 — in other words, the genetic material specific for the virus that causes COVID-19,” the announcement stated. “The PCR test is known to be extremely sensitive, as well as specific, for the virus. The PCR tests for the Governor, First Lady, and staff were run twice. They came back negative the first time and came back negative when they were run on a second diagnostic platform.”
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was also tested for coronavirus Thursday ahead of Trump’s visit and tested negative, DeWine’s office said.
Landing in Cleveland shortly after the news broke, Trump wished DeWine well in light of his diagnosis and told the crowd gathered at the airport that DeWine is a “great guy” who has “done a fantastic job.”
“We want to wish him the best, he’ll be fine,” Trump said.
The Ohio Democratic Party said it is saddened to hear about DeWine’s positive coronavirus test result and offered support for the governor.
“We know how hard he’s been working to keep Ohioans safe, and this is just one more reminder that this virus can impact everyone,” the party’s chairman David Pepper said in a statement. “As fellow Ohioans, we stand with and support our governor and his family at this time.”
This story has been updated with additional background information and reaction.
CNN’s Liz Stark and Maegan Vazquez contributed to this report.