Gov. Mike Dunleavy has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms, his office said Wednesday.
Dunleavy’s office previously said he had come in close contact with a COVID-positive person on Saturday and would quarantine at home as a precaution.
“Because the governor has been in quarantine during his infectious period, there are no known close contacts at this time,” the governor’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
Dunleavy tested negative for COVID on Sunday but began feeling unwell Tuesday night, his office said. He took another test Wednesday morning and it was positive, his office said.
Alaska’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, and the governor’s attending physician are monitoring him and will provide updates as needed, the governor’s office said in its statement.
Dunleavy attended the annual Alaska Outdoor Council banquet in person Saturday in Palmer. The organization’s executive director, Caleb Martin, said he contacted the governor’s office and was told that the close contact did not take place during the event. He said he is unaware of anyone contracting COVID-19 because of their attendance.
Alaska’s number of COVID-19 cases has been falling, but a rare case of a highly contagious variant of COVID-19 originally detected in Brazil was identified in the state this month.
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.
Dunleavy has not yet had a COVID-19 vaccination. At 59 years old, he was not eligible for the first tier of vaccinations but may be eligible now under provisions that allow essential workers to receive the vaccine. Asked about his vaccination status on Monday, a spokesman for the governor said he would get the vaccine when his turn came up.
More than one in four Alaska adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot, according to figures from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
This article is developing and will be updated. Check back for more.