Gov. Kemp tests negative after COVID-19 exposure. Here’s what we know
Both Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp have tested negative for COVID-19 after the governor was recently exposed to someone who has virus, Kemp’s office said in a statement Friday afternoon.
The governor will remain in quarantine due to “direct exposure” within the last 48 hours to an individual who recently tested positive. The first lady is not known to have been exposed to an infected person. Gov. Kemp is not experiencing any symptoms and will follow guidance from state health commissioner, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, according to the statement.
Kemp’s announcement and negative test result comes just after U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, who represents the 3rd congressional district, announced he tested positive for COVID-19 Friday. His district includes the northern suburbs of Columbus.
Ferguson said in a statement he began experiencing “mild symptoms” Thursday night and began running a fever Friday morning.
Both Kemp and Ferguson appeared at a rally in Manchester, Georgia, Tuesday when Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden appeared in nearby Warm Springs. Kemp and Ferguson shook hands and embraced on stage.
The duo also appeared together at an indoor campaign event for state house candidate David Jenkins Thursday night in Hogansville, the LaGrange Daily News reports.
Ferguson’s office did not say whether the congressman believes he was infected at Tuesday’s event, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Kemp’s office has not identified the source of the exposure.
This story was originally published October 30, 2020 at 2:18 PM.