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RI Gov. McKee Tests Positive for COVID-19: Reports mild symptoms, isolating and working from home

RI Gov. Daniel McKee has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced in a statement Sunday afternoon, saying the positive test was conducted Saturday night.

RI Gov. Daniel McKee

Matt Sheaff, spokesman for Governor Dan McKee, said in the statement: “Late yesterday evening, Governor McKee tested positive for COVID-19. He only has minor symptoms because he is vaccinated and twice boosted. After speaking with his doctor, the Governor has begun taking the antiviral medication Paxlovid and is isolating for 5 days. During this time he will be working remotely. The Governor is in good spirits and is grateful for the support of his family and staff. He looks forward to getting back to work in person, meeting with constituents and keeping Rhode Island’s economic momentum going.”

The governor’s official Twitter account tweeted at 1:38pm Sunday, “Late last night, I tested positive for COVID-19. I’m vaccinated and boosted twice and therefore experiencing very minor symptoms.” McKee, born June 16, 1951, is 71 years old.

The statement said that the governor’s staff was directly contacting everyone who may have been exposed over the past two days, noting that guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends those exposed monitor for symptoms and test through the sixth day after potential exposure.