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Husted, Portman Getting COVID-19 Tests After Trump Diagnosis
By: Jo Ingles | Statehouse News Bureau
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse) — After President Trump announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said he’s taking a COVID-19 test as a precaution.
While Gov. Mike DeWine did not attend Tuesday’s presidential debate in Cleveland, Husted did. However, Husted’s spokeswoman Carolyn Cypret said he did not meet with or sit with Trump or any member of his family or staff.
Sen. Rob Portman and Rep. Jim Jordan will also get coronavirus tests after possible exposure from Trump.
All attendees at Monday’s debate were required to get tested for COVID-19 in order to enter the debate area. Cypret says Husted was at least 50 feet away from the stage during the debate, and was at least 50 feet away from the president’s family and friends during the event.
Husted also wore a mask throughout the entire event. Although masks were required for all attendees, the president’s family and friends reportedly did not do so.
Husted says he will isolate at home while waiting for the results of his test, which will be released to the public when it’s available.
House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, who also attended the debate, says some people refused to wear masks even after being offered one by a Cleveland Clinic doctor. Sykes said she will go into isolation while waiting for medical guidance.
Portman’s office released a statement saying he was near the president on Monday for an event outside the White House.
“While he is not experiencing any symptons, and neither is Jane, out of an abundance of caution, he is consulting with his physician and plans to take a COVID-19 diagnostic test and cancel his scheduled in-person events today,” spokeswoman Emily Benavides said.