JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi’s Republican governor said Monday he is isolating himself after coming into contact with a member of the state House of Representatives who tested positive for the coronavirus.
In a tweet Monday, Gov. Tate Reeves said he received a virus test and is awaiting results.
“Best thing for all: if someone you know gets the virus, isolate until your test comes back at least. That’s my plan,” Reeves tweeted. “Stay safe and stay smart.”
Reeves did not identify the lawmaker, only that he came into contact with the individual “briefly” last week. Reeves was visibly in close contact last week with House Speaker Philip Gunn during the signing of a bill that removed the Confederate emblem from Mississippi’s state flag.
Gunn announced Sunday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Gunn, a Republican from the Jackson suburb of Clinton, said in a video posted to Facebook that he got tested because he had been in close proximity to another member of the House who tested positive. He didn’t identify the other lawmaker.
At least one other lawmaker, Democrat Rep. Bo Brown of Jackson, has announced a positive test result in the last several days. During a Facebook Live video Monday afternoon, Reeves said a “large number” of legislators have tested positive for the virus.
“I felt like I needed to go get myself tested just because I had been with this person and this morning was informed that I too have tested positive for COVID,” Gunn said. “I feel very fortunate that I don’t really have very many symptoms and feel fine.”
Gunn said he called everyone he had been close to recently to advised them of his diagnosis and self-quarantine plan. He also called on the state’s residents to do likewise if they find out they’re infected. “We need to make sure that we do everything we can to get this past us as quickly as possible.”
Gunn became the state’s highest-ranking political figure to publicly disclose a positive test for the coronavirus.
This is the second time Reeves has isolated himself after potential exposure to coronavirus. In March, Reeves isolated himself after returning from a family trip to Spain.
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Leah Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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