Nevada governor tests positive for COVID-19, not showing any symptoms

Image

Wade Vandervort

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak speaks at the East Las Vegas Voter Activation Center on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Published Fri, Nov 13, 2020 (4:01 p.m.)

Updated Fri, Nov 13, 2020 (5:04 p.m.)

Gov. Steve Sisolak has tested positive for COVID-19, but he does not have symptoms and will continue to work remotely as he self-quarantines, his office announced.

A rapid test came back positive today after Sisolak underwent routine screening, officials said. The results of a diagnostic test for confirmation are pending, officials said.

Earlier this week, Sisolak reporting feeling fatigued but attributed it to his demanding schedule, officials said.

“I am currently not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and I have returned to my residence to begin the quarantine and isolation process,” Sisolak said in a statement.

His wife, Kathy, tested negative today.

Sisolak, 66, said he did not know how he might have picked up the disease. He is the 5th governor to test positive.

“I think this just puts a spotlight on the fact that you can take all the precautions that are possible and you can still contract the virus,” he said in a call with reporters.

At least two members of his staff have previously tested positive, including Caleb Cage, the state’s COVID-19 response director.

“With my case, I want to underscore the importance of Nevadans to stay at home as much as they possibly can at this time,” Sisolak said.

He previously said if people didn’t heed the warning, stricter mitigation measures might have to be put in place. In mid-March, Sisolak ordered the temporary shutdown of all nonessential businesses, including casinos, to help curb the spread of the virus.

Sisolak’s announcement comes on a day Nevada reported 1,857 additional coronavirus cases, the highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic. Nevada has reported 116,737 cases and 1,893 related deaths throughout the pandemic.

Prior to today’s test, the governor received negative results on all tests, including his last two regular screenings on Nov. 2 and 6, officials said.

Sisolak was last in the Carson City office Thursday, and “out of an abundance of caution” staffers will work from home starting today, his office said.

Contact tracing is underway, and any staff in close contact with the governor will quarantine for two weeks, officials said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Back to top

SHARE