U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson said Friday that he tested positive for the coronavirus after experiencing mild symptoms, and Gov. Brian Kemp’s office announced shortly after that he is self-quarantining for precautionary reasons.
Kemp‘s office said in a statement that he and his wife Marty both tested negative for the disease and aren’t experiencing symptoms. His statement didn’t single out Ferguson, but the two Republicans spoke together at two recent events this week.
The first was a Republican rally on Tuesday in Manchester meant to counter Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s nearby campaign speech. Many among the roughly 100 people at the outdoor rally, including Ferguson, were not wearing masks.
The LaGrange Daily News also reported the two appeared together on Thursday at an indoor fundraiser for a Republican state House candidate challenging Democrat Bob Trammell.
Ferguson’s office said he first began feeling cold-like symptoms Thursday night and took a COVID-19 test the next morning after developing a slight fever. The West Point Republican plans to quarantine and work from home until he tests negative.
“While the vast majority of my recent schedule has been virtual, we are beginning the process of reaching out to anyone I have seen in recent days,” Ferguson said in a statement. "I am eager to get back to work and will do so as soon as I have fully recovered.”
Credit: Greg Bluestein
Credit: Greg Bluestein
Senate candidate Doug Collins, a close political ally of Ferguson, said through a spokesman that he hasn’t been in contact with Ferguson in more than a week and that he doesn’t plan to quarantine. U.S. Sen. David Perdue’s campaign and U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s spokesman also said both have had no recent contact with Ferguson.
Kemp’s office announced he would go into quarantine shortly after he canceled an appearance with Loeffler at a rally in Monroe. Kemp spokesman Cody Hall posted on Twitter that the governor and his wife are following state health guidelines.
”The governor is not currently experiencing any symptoms and will be quarantining, per Department of Public Health guidance,“ said Hall. “The governor spoke with Dr. (Kathleen) Toomey this afternoon and will continue to follow her expert guidance.”
