Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine has tested positive for COVID-19, hours before he was set to greet the president at the airport for his visit to the Buckeye State. DeWine was slated to greet Mr. Trump on the tarmac in Cleveland Thursday afternoon.
DeWine’s office confirmed the positive test in a news release. DeWine was tested as a part of the usual protocol for being in close proximity to the president. The state’s lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, tested negative for the virus.
At this point, the Ohio governor has no symptoms. DeWine is returning to Columbus with his wife, who also has no symptoms. He will quarantine at his home in Cedarville for the next 14 days, according to the news release.
The positive test is a blow to the president’s visit, in which he is slated to deliver remarks on economic prosperity and gains against the virus.
DeWine was one of the first governors to take dramatic steps to slow the spread of the virus this spring and the first governor to close schools statewide.