Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife test positive for COVID-19

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam speaks with reporters at a press conference at the Governor's mansion on February 2, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia.
(Image credit: Alex Edelman/Getty Images)

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and his wife have both tested positive for COVID-19.

Northam's office announced on Friday that he and Virginia first lady Pamela Northam had tested positive for the coronavirus after a member of the governor's residence staff "who works closely within the couple's living quarters" previously tested positive. The governor has no symptoms, and his wife is "currently experiencing mild symptoms," the statement said.

"As I've been reminding Virginians throughout this crisis, COVID-19 is very real and very contagious," Northam said. "...We are grateful for your thoughts and support, but the best thing you can do for us — and most importantly, for your fellow Virginians — is to take this seriously."

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Northam is the latest U.S. governor to contract COVID-19 after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) tested positive earlier this week, saying he has "no symptoms of any kind." Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) also previously tested positive for the coronavirus in July. Northam and his wife both plan to self-isolate for 10 days.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan is a staff writer at The Week. A graduate of Hofstra University with a degree in journalism, he also writes about horror films for Bloody Disgusting and has previously contributed to The Cheat Sheet, Heavy, WhatCulture, and more. He lives in New York City surrounded by Star Wars posters.