Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Tests Positive For Coronavirus -- Then Tests Negative on Second Test

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Tests Positive For Coronavirus -- Then Tests Negative on Second Test

 Washington (CNN) Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Thursday afternoon that he had tested positive for coronavirus, but said that he had tested negative for Covid-19 afterward within the evening.

The initial announcement came shortly before DeWine, a Republican, was scheduled to satisfy with President Donald Trump in Cleveland.

DeWine was tested as a part of the "standard protocol" to greet Trump on the tarmac at Burke Lakefront Airport, the governor's office said during 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.

Mike DeWine

"A PCR test was administered to the Governor and members of his staff this afternoon. The PCR test looks for the precise 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 understood to be extremely sensitive, also as specific, for the virus. The PCR tests for the Governor, First Lady, and staff were run twice. They came back negative the primary time and came back negative once they were run on a second diagnostic platform."

DeWine Tweeted Thursday That He Is Not Experiencing Symptoms at This Point.

"As a part of the quality protocol to greet President Trump on the tarmac in Cleveland, I took a COVID test. I tested positive. I even have no symptoms at this point. I'm following protocol and can quarantine reception for subsequent 14 days," he wrote.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was also tested for coronavirus Thursday before 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 gang gathered at the airport that DeWine may be a "great guy" who has "done an incredible job."

"We want to wish him the simplest, he'll be fine," Trump said.

DeWine was the newest politician to check positive for coronavirus shortly before they were scheduled to satisfy with Trump. Last week, GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert, who has frequently refused to wear a mask, tested positive for the virus shortly before he was scheduled to fly aboard Air Force One with Trump to Texas. He’s the second known governor to check positive for coronavirus, after Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced in July he had contracted Covid-19.

DeWine's diagnosis is especially notable as he has taken aggressive measures to slow the spread of coronavirus in his state, including issuing a stay-at-home order, a mask mandate, closing schools and postponing the state primary. His warnings about the seriousness of the pandemic early and following the recommendation of health experts have differed from Trump's repeated downplaying of the virus and propensity to contradict the doctors on his coronavirus task force. DeWine has also taken a slower approach than other Republican governors in reopening his state.

The Ohio Democratic Party said it's saddened to listen to about DeWine's positive coronavirus test result and offered support for the governor.

"We skills hard he's been working to stay Ohioans safe, and this is often only one more reminder that this virus can impact everyone," the party's chairman David Pepper said during a statement. "As fellow Ohioans, we stand with and support our governor and his family at this point.”