Virginia governor displaying mild symptoms after positive COVID-19 diagnosis

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said Monday that he is displaying mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 last week. 

The 61-year-old Democratic governor released a video on Facebook, in which he said he and first lady Pam Northam “continue to make good progress” in their recovery. Northam reported he developed “mild cold-like symptoms” and lost his sense of smell.

“But otherwise, we’re doing well and staying in good spirits,” he said, while sitting next to his dog Pearl.

Northam told The Washington Post in an interview, shortly after the Facebook video went up, that he hasn’t experienced a fever, shortness of breath or coughing and said Pam “is doing well also.” The couple has not received treatment for the virus but are making efforts to keep track of their health and oxygen levels.

The governor’s update came about a week after he and the first lady tested positive for COVID-19 after a staff member who was in the Executive Mansion contracted the virus. 

In his video, Northam said he is continuing to work from home daily with the Virginia legislature on COVID-19 response, criminal justice reform and the state’s budget. 

The Virginia governor then encouraged his constituents to follow coronavirus guidelines like wearing masks and social distancing. 

The governor has delayed all his public appearances but said “if everything continues to go well” his first appearance after contracting COVID-19 will be on Monday, Oct. 12, he told the newspaper.

Northam, a former Army doctor, criticized President Trump’s handling of his own COVID-19 infection in his Post interview, expressing concern about the president’s comments downplaying the virus.

Trump, who announced he contracted COVID-19 last week, spent three nights over the weekend in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after reportedly having low oxygen levels. He returned to the White House on Monday, removed his mask and filmed a video instructing Americans to not “be afraid of” the coronavirus. 

“That’s absolutely the wrong message,” Northam told the Post, citing U.S. data on infections and deaths. “It’s irresponsible to make a statement like that.”

The U.S. has confirmed more than 7.4 million COVID-19 cases and 210,355 fatalities, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.