Louisiana attorney general tests positive for coronavirus ahead of Pence visit to state

Louisiana’s Attorney General Jeff Landry (R) announced Tuesday morning that he had tested positive for the coronavirus and as a result would not meet Vice President Pence when he arrives in the state later in the day.

The Louisiana Advocate reported that Landry emailed employees at the state Department of Justice informing them of his diagnosis, and explained that he was self-quarantining.

“Out of an overabundance of caution with the Vice President coming to our state, I was tested for Cornavirus [sic],” he wrote, according to the Advocate. “Though experiencing no symptoms, I tested positive for COVID-19.”

Pence is in the state for a part of the day Tuesday to meet with Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) and other state officials about Louisiana’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus, as the rate of new cases has exploded in Louisiana and a number of other states across the country.

The vice president is scheduled to host a joint press conference with Edwards as well as meet with officials from Louisiana State University (LSU) to hear about the school’s plans for reopening in the fall. The school announced plans to hold some classes on-campus in the fall despite the health crisis. Capacity in classrooms and other campus buildings will be limited.

“Just landed in the Bayou State. Today I’ll be visiting @LSU to discuss reopening schools as well as the State Emergency Operations Center to deliver our message to the people of Louisiana: We will make sure you have what you need when you need it to combat the Coronavirus,” Pence tweeted at midday Tuesday.