Va. gov, wife both get COVID

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Friday he has contracted COVID-19, becoming the second U.S. governor to test positive for the virus this week.

He and First Lady Pamela Northam received a nasal swab test on Thursday after learning that a member of the governor’s official residence staff had been infected, and both were found to have coronavirus, according to his office.

The Democratic politician, who’s 61, does not have any symptoms, while his wife is experiencing mild symptoms. The couple is expected to isolate for the next 10 days.

“As I’ve been reminding Virginians throughout this crisis, COVID-19 is very real and very contagious,” Northam said in a statement.

“The safety and health of our staff and close contacts is of utmost importance to Pam and me, and we are working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that everyone is well taken care of,” he wrote.

“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.”

The announcement comes two days after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican and a staunch opponent of mask mandates, confirmed his own positive diagnosis. His wife, Teresa, also tested positive.

Parson says he’s been working through the virus from home. On Friday, he was interviewed on a Kansas City radio talk show and announced eight appointments to state boards and commissions. “I have no symptoms at all … I’m fine,” he said.

Parson also went on Twitter to wish Northam and his wife “a speedy recovery.”