Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, his partner test positive for COVID-19
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and his partner, Marlon Reis, have tested positive for COVID-19.
The pair announced their diagnosis on Saturday night. The governor’s office says both are asymptomatic and isolating in their home.
“Marlon and I are feeling well so far, and are in good spirits,” the governor said in a written statement. “No person or family is immune to this virus.”
Polis, 45, on Wednesday night announced that he was entering quarantine after being exposed to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. He initially tested negative for the disease.
COVID-19 IN COLORADO
The latest from the coronavirus outbreak in Colorado:
- LIVE BLOG: The latest on closures, restrictions and other major updates.
- MAP: Cases and deaths in Colorado.
- TESTING: Here’s where to find a community testing site. The state is now encouraging anyone with symptoms to get tested.
- STORY: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, his partner test positive for COVID-19
Conor Cahill, a spokesman for the governor, declined to answer questions about whether Polis was exposed to the infected person in his official capacity or outside of his work as governor.
“He is following CDC and (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) guidelines,” Cahill said on Friday.
The governor’s office also declined to say what day Polis, who has spearheaded Colorado’s response to the pandemic, was exposed to the person.
Polis, a Democrat who entered office in January 2019, last held a briefing with reporters on the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday. He held a video briefing with the media on Wednesday.
The governor’s office says Polis will be closely monitored and continue to fulfill his duties and responsibilities through remote work.
Polis has believed for months that he would likely contract COVID-19.
“I think it’s certainly possible that I will (catch coronavirus) and likely that I will,” he said in an April 1 interview with CBS4 and The Colorado Sun. “Many Coloradans will.”
Polis and Reis live in Boulder with their two young children. On Thanksgiving Day, the governor was tweeting about his cooking plans.
“Since we are having Thanksgiving with just the four of us, we are making it fun,” Polis tweeted. “Our daughter made us full menus and soon we begin the day-long cooking experience! No doubt we will have leftovers for days and days.”
Polis used his positive test result to urge Coloradans to be vigilant.
“I urge every Coloradan to practice caution, limit public interactions, wear a mask in public, stay six feet from others and wash your hands regularly,” he said in his written statement.
Polis joins a handful of other U.S. governors who have tested positive for COVID-19, including Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.
A number of other Colorado politicians have tested positive for COVID-19, including U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter, D-Arvada, and Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, as well as Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman.
Colorado is in the middle of a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. COVID-19 has killed more than 2,500 people in the state. As of Friday, 1,725 people were hospitalized because of the disease.
Updated at 8:22 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2020: This story has been updated to clarify that Marlon Reis is Gov. Jared Polis’ partner.
Our articles are free to read, but not free to report
Support local journalism around the state.
Become a member of The Colorado Sun today!
The latest from The Sun
*** This article has been archived for your research. The original version from The Colorado Sun can be found here ***
