COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday he has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
DeWine was tested Thursday as part of a standard protocol as he prepared to greet President Donald Trump at the tarmac in at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, according to a news release issued Thursday afternoon by the governor’s office.
Less than 10 hours after the initial announcement, DeWine announced he tested negative for coronavirus. The second round of testing was performed through a more sensitive test called a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR test, which detects genetic material from the new coronavirus, the governor’s office said. The earlier test delivers rapid results by testing the blood for antigens, but is a relatively unproven technology.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who also was in Cleveland to greet the president, tested negative, according to the governor’s office. Trump is in Ohio to visit the Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Sandusky County and has a fundraiser planned later in Bratenahl.
DeWine has no symptoms, and is returning to Columbus where he will be tested again, as will Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine, the governor’s office said. He then will head to his home in Cedarville where he plans to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Husted, meanwhile, continued with his plans to meet the president on the runway.
DeWine will make himself available to the media via videoconference at 4:30 p.m. today, the governor’s office announced later Thursday.
UPDATE: After positive coronavirus test, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says he’s not sure how he got it
DeWine is 73, which places him a higher-risk category for coronavirus patients. He also has a history of respiratory issues. He hospitalized for six days in 2000, while a member of a the U.S. Senate, while he was treated for asthma. He’s had the respiratory condition since he was 25 years old, and receives medication through inhalers, the Toledo Blade reported at the time.
DeWine becomes the second U.S. governor to test positive for COVID-19. Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt tested positive on July 15. He reported to work 12 days later and has declared himself recovered, according to the Tulsa World.
DeWine, a Republican, has become nationally prominent for his cautious approach to dealing with the coronavirus, including being an early advocate for the wearing of facial masks. To try to encourage the public to get tested, he received a nasal swab on live television in late June as a demonstration. He tested negative the next day.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March, DeWine, who once kept his calendar jam packed with photo opportunities, has limited public appearances as he tries to encourage social distancing. In late June, he visited the former General Motors plant in Lordstown, promoting the facility’s acquisition by a start-up electric vehicle company, in his first “normal” press conference in months.
Officials in the governor’s office said it’s unlikely that many other staffers will have to quarantine as a result of the governor’s positive test. DeWine heads to Columbus twice a week for his coronavirus briefings, but generally works from his home in Cedarville. Most of his staff also work from home. So the only other state officials DeWine likely would come in close contact with include Husted, his security detail and staffers who help with the briefings, Tierney said.
“We do an awful lot of work via technology,” Tierney said. “The vast majority if not all governor’s staff work remotely.”
Sgt. Nathan Dennis, a spokesman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said the state troopers assigned to DeWine’s personal security detail have been tested for COVID-19 and sent home to self-isolate while they await the results.
“Right now, it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing how those results come back and following the guidelines,” he said.
The White House issued a statement responding to the news of DeWine’s positive test.
“The President wishes Gov. DeWine a speedy and full recovery and commends the job he’s doing for the great state of Ohio,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
Trump also expressed well wishes to DeWine in a rally-like speech to a group of supporters huddled outside at Burke Lakefront Airport after he arrived Thursday.
Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican, said he and his wife Jane are hopeful the governor “will continue to have no symptoms and send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
“I spoke with him yesterday about the ongoing COVID-19 response at the federal and state level and I’m certain he’ll continue to lead a strong and safe reopening of Ohio while following the proper protocols and quarantining at home in Cedarville,” Portman said. “I hope everyone will support his recovery by continuing to do their part to slow the spread by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.”
The Ohio Democratic Party is “saddened” to hear of the test result, party Chairman David Pepper said in a statement.
”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,” Pepper said. “As fellow Ohioans, we stand with and support our governor and his family at this time.”
Cleveland.com / Plain Dealer politics reporter Seth Richardson contributed