Alaska governor tests positive for COVID-19

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced on Wednesday.

Dunleavy’s office said in a statement that he originally tested negative on Sunday after being identified as a close contact of someone who had tested positive that morning. He began quarantining to reduce potential exposure to others.

The governor was feeling well until Tuesday night, and was retested on Wednesday morning. That test came back positive, the statement said.

Dunleavy’s office said there are currently no known close contacts with the governor because he’s been in quarantine during his infectious period. Anne Zinke, chief medical officer the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, and the governor’s attending physician are monitoring him.

Dulvaney’s office had issued a statement on Monday, indicating that the close contact occurred on Saturday. He began isolating on Sunday, when he was informed of the contact, according to the statement. 

At least four members of Dunleavy’s staff tested positive for COVID-19 in October, according to The Anchorage Daily News. 

Jeff Turney, deputy director of communications for Dunleavy’s office, told The Hill that the governor has not yet been vaccinated, and plans to be inoculated when he is eligible under the state’s vaccination plan. 

Alaska reported 175 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing its cumulative total to 55,736. The state has reported 287 deaths since the pandemic began.