Oklahoma’s governor says he has tested positive for COVID-19
In this June 20, 2020 file photo, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is recognized as President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, in Tulsa, Okla. Stitt announced Wednesday, July 15, 2020, that he's tested positive for the coronavirus and that he is isolating at home. The first-term Republican governor has backed one of the country's most aggressive reopening plans, has resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one himself.[AP/ Sue Ogrocki]
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday that he’s the first governor in the United States to test positive for the coronavirus and that he is isolating at home.
Stitt, 48, said he mostly feels fine, although he started feeling "a little achy" on Tuesday and sought a test. He said his wife and children were also tested Tuesday and that none of them has tested positive.
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Stitt has backed one of the country’s most aggressive reopening plans, resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one himself.
"We respect people’s rights … to not wear a mask," Stitt said during Wednesday’s news conference, which was held virtually. "You just open up a big can of worms."
Stitt attended President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts have said likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there.
Stitt said he’s confident he didn’t contract the virus at the rally.
"As far as where he became infected, it’s really unknown," Oklahoma Health Commissioner Lance Frye said. "It wasn’t so far back as the rally," which took place nearly a month ago.
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Oklahoma, with nearly 22,000 confirmed cases and 428 deaths.
One of Stitt’s cabinet members, David Ostrowe, tested positive for the coronavirus in March.