RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is self-quarantining while she awaits results from a coronavirus test.
“Last night, Chairwoman McDaniel began experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms, and she went to her local hospital in Michigan for treatment,” said RNC Communications Director Michael Ahrens in a statement on Saturday, later saying McDaniel tested negative for both flu and strep.
“Her doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms. As she awaits the results, out of an abundance of caution, we are contacting everyone that the Chairwoman remembers coming into contact with in recent days. Upon the advice of doctors, she and her family are self-quarantining at their home,” the statement continues. “We will provide an update when the test results are available.”
Last night, @GOPChairwoman‘s doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms.
We will provide an update when the test results are available. pic.twitter.com/oLla7pLaDH
— Michael Ahrens (@michaelahrens) March 14, 2020
“The Chairwoman has been in contact with CPAC and was informed she likely did not have any direct contact with the individual,” an RNC spokesperson told the Washington Examiner earlier this week, referring to McDaniel. “She is completely healthy.”
McDaniel interacted with several political personalities during the Conservative Political Action Conference, including commentator Michael Knowles and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who was the first to announce a cautionary quarantine after the American Conservative Union made him aware he had interacted with the attendee.
The news follows President Trump’s announcement on a Saturday that he took a diagnostic test for COVID-19 on Friday night.
“By the way, I had my temperature taken coming into the room,” Trump prefaced his statement to reporters. “I also took the test last night. And I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday.”
Trump later noted that he anticipates results from the test within the next several days.
Nearly 147,000 people have tested positive for the virus around the world, killing at least 5,500 people, according to the New York Times. In the United States, there are nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the virus, which has killed approximately 49 people.
