Gov. Mike Dunleavy has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms, his office said Wednesday. He tested negative on Sunday, a day after being exposed to a person with a positive case. He said then he would quarantine at home, but began feeling sick Tuesday night, and took another test Wednesday morning and it was positive, his office said.
Dunleavy is being treated by his own doctor.
He was waiting his turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine; he 59 and too young to get vaccinated as an elder. He had surgery in 2017 for a mild heart condition that might make him eligible under some criteria, but not until he tests negative again for the disease.
His office said yesterday the governor has mild symptoms that emerged while he was in quarantine, so no other close contacts have been identified.
A member of the Alaska House also tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
The State House member has not been publicly identified. But, in a letter first reported by the Anchorage Daily News, House Speaker Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, cancelled all House meetings on Thursday.
Legislative Affairs Director Jessica (GEAR-ee) Geary says up to 15 close contacts self-isolated.
Legislators and staff who work at the Capitol must be tested for COVID-19 every five days and are screened for symptoms every day in order to gain access to the building.
State public health officials continue to recommend that Alaskans avoid indoor gatherings with non-household members, avoid crowds, wear masks when around non-household members and stay 6 feet away from anyone not in their household.