Gov. DeWine Says He Feels 'Well' After Positive COVID-19 Test

COLUMBUS, OH — In a virtual news conference from his home in Cedarville, Gov. Mike DeWine addressed his positive COVID-19 test on Thursday.

"I have a headache, but I get a lot of headaches, but it's not that unusual. Besides that, I feel well. [The test] was a big surprise to me and a big surprise to our family," the governor said of his positive COVID-19 test on Thursday.

DeWine said he does not have "any idea" where he contracted the virus. His wife Fran and his closest employees have been tested for the virus, but they do not yet have the results for the tests. Results from those tests will be shared when they're available, the governor said.

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DeWine, 73, has asthma and uses an inhaler twice a day for treatment. He said he has no other outstanding health issues which could complicate his recovery from COVID-19.

The governor said he wears a mask to protect others. He does not want Ohioans to stop wearing masks or assume masks are unreliable because he has tested positive.

"There is some evidence it has a benefit to you, as well," DeWine said, though he emphasized that masks primarily help to slow the spread of the virus.

DeWine was tested on Thursday morning before driving to Cleveland to greet President Donald Trump. Anyone who is going to be in close proximity to the president receives a rapid results COVID-19 test, DeWine said.

Shortly after arriving at the Burke Lakefront Airport, the governor was told he tested positive for the virus. He immediately headed back to his home in Cedarville and did not have any contact with the president.

The governor said he spends most days working from home, primarily through conference calls and direct phone calls.

"My work may not be impacted," DeWine said. "We'll see. Jon Husted has been intimately involved in everything that we do. He and I are on the phone every day. So everything is just going to continue, unless, for some reason, it cannot."

DeWine said this was only the second time he has been tested for COVID-19. He publicly took a COVID-19 test in June. The governor took a third test to confirm Thursday's earlier results.