Coronavirus: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson tests positive

JEFFERSON CITY. Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson tested positive for the coronavirus, his office announced Wednesday.

The governor’s office made the announcement several hours after a spokesperson confirmed that Parson’s wife, Teresa Parson, had also tested positive for COVID-19, KSHB reported.

Mike Parson, 65, displayed no symptoms and said he felt healthy, according to a statement from his office. His wife has shown minor symptoms and was given a rapid test Wednesday morning, KTVI reported. The governor’s rapid test came back positive about an hour later, the television station reported.

“Needless to say, it’s been quite a day," Parson said in a video posted on social media Wednesday afternoon. "First of all, I want everybody to know that myself and the first lady are both fine.

“Right now, I feel fine. No symptoms of any kind,” Parson said. “But right now, we just got to take the quarantine procedures in place.”

All official and campaign events were canceled “until further notice,” the governor’s office said.

Randall Williams, the Director of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said in an afternoon news conference that when he told the first lady and governor of their results, their first concern was for those they were around recently.

Several state officials were with the governor over the weekend, KTVI reported. That included Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, and Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick. All three tested negative, the television station reported. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said he did not plan on being tested.

Cox Media Group