Inslee Tests Positive For COVID, Says Symptoms Are Mild

OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday tested positive for COVID-19 and is continuing to work from home with mild symptoms, the governor's office said Wednesday afternoon. The governor confirmed his diagnosis on social media, and his office shared more details with the news outlets a few minutes later.

"I am experiencing very mild symptoms and am most glad I'm vaccinated and boosted," Inslee said in a statement. I hope others consider getting their booster because it's very effective in preventing serious illness."

A spokesperson for the governor said Inslee tested positive using a rapid antigen test and his only symptoms were a mild cough. The governor is fully vaccinated and has received two booster shots, his office said, and plans to seek Paxlovid antiviral treatments from his doctor.

"Aside from having a slight cough, the governor is feeling well and in typical good spirits," said Jaime Smith, Inslee's communications director. "He is working from home and will soon receive antiviral treatments. As we're seeing, the current COVID variants are extremely contagious and vaccinations remain the most important tool to protecting ourselves against serious illness, hospitalization and death. We hope every eligible Washingtonian takes advantage of these life-saving tools."

During a news briefing earlier in the day, the state Department of Health said COVID-19 metrics continue to rise throughout the state but said so far there are no signs of an uptick in deaths. The rate of new cases has been steadily growing in Washington since mid-March and falls within the high range in the majority of the state's counties.

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Wednesday that another omicron subvariant has become dominant, now accounting for more than half of new U.S. cases.