Washington (AFP)
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, who attended a Donald Trump election rally without masks or social distancing, announced Wednesday that he was infected with the virus causing Covid-19, presumably after the rally, he said.
"I was tested yesterday for the Covid-19 and the results were positive," said the elected Republican, chief executive of this state of central United States neighboring Texas, in a press conference on Zoom, according to local media.
"I feel good, I had a little bit of aches yesterday. I didn't have a fever, just a little bit of pain," he said, adding that he had isolated himself from his family and would telework until 'again.
"I don't think I was infected at the president's meeting, it's been too long," said Kevin Stitt.
The meeting took place on June 20 in Tulsa, 24 days before his test, which makes it unlikely that he was infected that day (the median duration of onset of symptoms is four to five days after contamination ).
Some 6,000 supporters of Donald Trump had gathered in a large sports hall, most of them without masks, which was moreover followed by a wave of cases two weeks later, according to local health authorities.
The governor himself did not cover his face and joined the crowd. Before the meeting, he said: "It will be done safely, we are really, really looking forward to it".
The epidemic is currently progressing in his state, as in much of the American South. Oklahoma on Tuesday reported its record number of new Covid-19 cases registered in 24 hours (993 cases). Hospitalizations are also on the rise.
The state is one of three to have no obligation or official recommendation regarding the wearing of the mask, according to the association of local public health officials ASTHO, and Kevin Stitt had called to not point the finger at people who choose not to hide.
© 2020 AFP