HARTFORD, Conn — A senior staff member for Governor Ned Lamont has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the governor and senior staffers into quarantine.
Chief of Staff Paul Mounds made the announcement Friday night, saying this was the first case of the virus within the Office of the Governor. Director of Communications Max Reiss tested positive but says he has not shown any symptoms. Mounds added the administration's senior staff and Governor Lamont get tested twice a week and there are no other known cases as of November 13.
“We are taking this case seriously and observing all protocols to keep the governor, his family, and all of our staff members and their families safe,” Mounds said. “While this is the first case within our administration, tens of thousands of Connecticut residents have experienced COVID-19, and thousands of others have lost their lives. Even in an administration with consistent testing of all individuals who interact with the governor on a regular basis and wear masks at all times, this is a reminder that no testing regimen is full-proof. As we continue to see positive cases, test positivity, and hospitalizations rise in Connecticut, this is a clear reminder that everyone must continue to take proper steps to mitigate the spread of the virus. We must continue to wear masks, socially distance, and avoid large gatherings.”
Contact tracing has begun and everyone who was in contact with Reiss will quarantine for 14 days, as will the governor, Mounds, Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe, and other staff members.
In a tweet, Reiss addressed Connecticut journalists, saying he is unsure how he contracted the virus, but neither he nor his family has shown any symptoms.
On Saturday, Connecticut's two U.S. Senators said they would be isolating as well as they await test results. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy say they have not been in close contact with Reiss, but they were at a press conference with Lamont at the West Haven V.A. hospital on Friday.