COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, including sneezing and a runny nose, which began yesterday. The Governor’s condition slightly worsened overnight, prompting him to work remotely from his home today.
Prior to developing symptoms, DeWine had taken a precautionary COVID-19 test on Sunday while planning a family gathering. That test had returned negative.
DeWine has begun a course of the anti-viral medication Paxlovid, as recommended by his doctor. He plans to work from home for the remainder of the week.
The KP.3.1.1 variant, a strain in the Omicron family, is currently the dominant COVID-19 variant in the United States and has been increasing since June. In Ohio, COVID-19 cases and wastewater detections have also been rising since late June, though hospitalizations, a key indicator of disease severity, have not shown a significant increase in the state.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged six months and older. Updated vaccines are expected to be available in early fall. In the meantime, individuals who are unvaccinated or eligible for additional doses, including those aged 65 and older and individuals with weakened immune systems, are encouraged to consult their healthcare provider. The Ohio Department of Health has reported a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, with nearly a dozen deaths in the state over the past week.
