KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Four staff members who work closely with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson tested positive for COVID-19 after his diagnosis in September, his office said Monday.
In a news release, Parson’s office said that all staff identified as “close contacts” were tested after the governor and first lady Teresa Parson tested positive for the virus on Sept. 23. Both Parsons returned to work this week after isolating separately.
The positive cases among staff included those who work in the governor's office; the Missouri Governor's Mansion; and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Governor Security Division, according to the governor's office.
All four employees have fully recovered.
His administration initially had not said how many of the three dozen staff members who work closely with the governor had tested positive following his diagnosis, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report.
Other staff identified as close contacts of the governor tested negative and “followed proper quarantine protocol consistent with (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines,” Parson's office said Monday.
Parson, 65, does not plan to be retested for COVID-19 “at this time.” He followed CDC guidance by isolating for 10 days after his positive test on Sept. 23, according to his office.
