North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis has tested positive for the coronavirus his staff announced Friday night. He said he does not have any symptoms of the virus, but he will halt all in-person campaign activities and quarantine for 10 days.
Tillis, who is running for reelection, had a debate with Democratic opponent Cal Cunningham on Thursday night in Raleigh. The two were photographed bumping elbows while wearing masks.
On Wednesday, Tillis, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court. Barrett announced Friday that she had tested negative for COVID-19.
In a statement, Tillis said he has been routinely tested for COVID-19, including a negative test last Saturday.
On Friday evening, his rapid antigen test was positive.
"I will be following the recommendations of my doctor and will be self-isolating at home for 10 days and notifying those I’ve been in close contact with," Tillis said in the statement. "Thankfully, I have no symptoms and I feel well. As we all know, COVID-19 is a very contagious and deadly virus, especially because many carriers are asymptomatic.
"I encourage all North Carolinians to follow the recommendations of medical experts, including wearing a mask, washing hands, and practicing social distancing. For any North Carolinian who believes they were exposed to the virus or starts to display symptoms, please call your doctor, self-isolate, and get tested to protect those around you."
Tillis has generally supported Democratic Gov. Roy’s Cooper’s health mandates and has urged people to wear face coverings. In August, Tillis tweeted a photo of himself on the White House lawn before President Trump’s acceptance speech wearing a mask. But he was then later photographed during the speech not wearing a mask. He said he did not live up to his own standard.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, also announced Friday that he tested positive for COVID-19.
Tillis' campaign later issued a statement saying the Charlotte campaign headquarters have been closed, and "we are halting all in-person campaign events until further notice."
"Additionally, we are reaching out to any individuals who may have come into contact with Senator Tillis during the campaign events we held this week, ” the statement said.
Sign up here for The Frequency, WFAE’s daily email newsletter.
What questions do you have about the 2020 election, absentee voting or how to vote safely in person? Share your questions below.
_
