Former Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Saturday that he tested positive for COVID-19, the latest in a growing number of Republicans to do so since President Donald Trump contracted the virus earlier this week.
“I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19,” Christie tweeted. “I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two. I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition.”
I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19. I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two. I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition.
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) October 3, 2020
Christie had tweeted on Friday to thank those who had checked in on him following news that Trump had tested positive. Christie, who had been in close quarters with the president at the White House for debate prep on Monday, said he was feeling “fine” and “had no symptoms.”
“No one was wearing masks in the room when we were prepping the president,” Christie told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Friday.
I want to thank all who have called and texted in the last few hours to check on my health. I feel fine and have no symptoms. I was last tested for COVID on Tuesday (it was neg) and was tested this morning. No results until tomorrow. I will let you know the results from here.
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) October 2, 2020
Christie’s successor, current Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, wished Christie “a full and speedy recovery,” following the news. “He and Mary Pat are in our prayers. #JerseyStrong.”
Tammy and I wish @GovChristie a full and speedy recovery. He and Mary Pat are in our prayers. #JerseyStrong https://t.co/FTJNj3l73Y
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) October 3, 2020
As of Saturday afternoon, others in close contact with the president who have tested positive include first lady Melania Trump, White House senior adviser Hope Hicks, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, as well as Sens. Ron Johnson (R-MN), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
All attended the Rose Garden ceremony with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, where Christie was photographed without a mask and in close contact with others. University of Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John Jenkins, also tested positive after the event.
Trump remains hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where his doctors said he is “doing very well.”
President Donald Trump’s doctor at Walter Reed Medical Center, Sean Conley, said during a press conference that the president is “doing very well,” and that his already mild symptoms are dissipating.
“This morning the president is doing very well,” Conley said Saturday morning before introducing the team of doctors who are monitoring the president and providing his care. Conley added that Trump had mild symptoms including a slight cough, nasal congestion, and feeling “run down.” Conley later added that Trump had a fever Thursday night and into Friday morning but that he had been “fever free for over 24 hours.”
Conley also noted — multiple times — that Trump is not on oxygen at this time, though he was asked repeatedly if the president had been on oxygen previously, as reporters speculated Friday when he walked to Marine One to be flown to Walter Reed Hospital. Conley said Trump had not been on oxygen on Thursday or Friday either.
Related: Kellyanne Conway ‘Feeling Fine’ After Positive COVID-19 Diagnosis