Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania is in quarantine after his COVID-19 test was positive

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said Wednesday he is showing a positive result for COVID-19 and is isolating at home.

A Democrat in the second cycle said a routine test showed the coronavirus on Tuesday.

“I have no symptoms and I feel good,” Wolf said in a statement. “I follow the guidelines of the CDC and the Department of Health.”

Wolf’s spouse, Frances Wolf, was tested but didn’t get the result, Wolf said. He is quarantined with him at their home in Mount Wolf, York.

“The wonderful thing about this is that he has no symptoms. He said he was feeling well. He knows that it will be important to be closely monitored, obviously stay isolated, and closely monitor for any symptoms,” said Dr. Jennifer Caudle, GP, associate professor at Rowan University.

Wolf is one of several governors who show a positive result for the virus that causes COVID-19, including the governors of Oklahoma, Missouri, Virginia, Nevada and Colorado. President Donald Trump has also infected the virus.

WATCH: Dr. Caudle is considering Governor Wolf, who is showing a positive result for COVID-19

Wolf, 72, said he continues to work remotely.

In 2016, Wolf was diagnosed with a treatable form of prostate cancer. A year later, he received a clean health bill.

There was only one event on Wolf’s public schedule last week – a virtual press conference on the pandemic on Monday, where he appeared along with his health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, and one of his deputies. They all wore masks when they took turns on the podium.

His spokesman, Lyndsay Kensinger, said others had been tested at the same time, but said federal health data protection rules prevented him from being identified.

Nearly a month ago, the Wolf administration confirmed its mask mandate and required non-state travelers to test the corona virus negatively before their arrival. But infections, hospitalizations and deaths in the state continue to rise sharply, prompting Wolf to betray Monday that he is considering new mitigation measures.

Pennsylvania reports an average of about 10,000 new confirmed cases per day, an increase of more than 50% in two weeks, according to an AP analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project. Hospital treatment has increased tenfold this fall. The state reports an average of 140 deaths a day, up 64% from November 24th.

Wolf has repeatedly urged people to wear masks and avoid rallies, and usually opens his broadcast news conferences with the conspicuous use of hand sanitizer.

CONNECTED: Governor Wolf is considering possible new COVID-19 restrictions as cases increase

“Because this virus is raging, my positive test reminds me that no one is free of COVID, that following all the precautions I did is not a guarantee, but we know it is vital in stopping the spread of the disease,” he said Wednesday.

Dr. Caudle reminds residents that these security measures work.

“Well, the truth of the matter is despite Governor Wolf’s amazing efforts, and that’s why we applaud him, there are a lot of people who don’t wear masks,” Caudle said. “There’s a lot of activity going on, either indoors or outdoors, that’s still going on between small groups, so it’s not. Mass wear, social distance, etc. That’s right. More importantly, what you have to do is this. which is ultimately the safest for us. “

Wolf is a former secretary of state and businessman who spent more than $ 10 million of his own money nearly six years ago to win the Democratic governor pre-election. He easily won re-election in 2018.

Read Governor Wolf’s full statement on the positive outcome of COVID-19:

“During yesterday’s routine test, I proved positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and I feel good. I follow the guidelines of the CDC and the Department of Health. Frances has been tested and as we await the result, I will be quarantined at home. With me.

I will continue to serve the community and perform all my duties remotely, as many do at the time of the epidemic.

Because this virus is furious, my positive test reminds me that no one is protected from COVID, that following all precautions, as I have done, is not a guarantee, but we know it is vital in stopping the spread of the disease, and so on. to wear a mask as much as possible to stay at home, to socially distance themselves from those living in the household, and above all to take care of each other and stay safe.

Mayor Kenney is also in quarantine

At Philadelphia’s weekly COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Mayor Jim Kenney announced he was back in quarantine after contacting someone who had a positive result for COVID-19. The mayor said he would be tested soon.

“I am currently in quarantine at home after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. I am asymptomatic and plan to test soon. If you find yourself in a similar situation, do it right and put yourself in quarantine,” Kenney said.

Kenney also contacted someone in September who gave a positive result and the mayor spoke at press conferences from his home instead of his town hall office.

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The mayor said he would follow the CDC’s latest guidelines for 10-day quarantine unless he gets a negative COVID test after 7 days.

“We continue to work hard to flatten this curve. Self-quarantine and testing is a key method that anyone who is exposed to can help with,” Kenney said.

The Associated Press contributed to the report.