Ohio’s first lady has COVID, too; DeWines’ symptoms mild

FILE - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, left, reacts after taking the oath of office alongside his wife, Fran, during an inauguration ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse Jan. 14, 2019, in Columbus. The DeWines announced they tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing mild symptoms. They are fully vaccinated and have received booster doses.

Credit: John Minchillo

Credit: John Minchillo

FILE - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, left, reacts after taking the oath of office alongside his wife, Fran, during an inauguration ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse Jan. 14, 2019, in Columbus. The DeWines announced they tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing mild symptoms. They are fully vaccinated and have received booster doses.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday evening that he was diagnosed with COVID-19 by his personal physician, and on Monday announced that his wife, first lady Fran DeWine also was diagnosed with COVID.

The governor, 75, said Monday that he continues to experience mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, headache, body aches and a sore throat, which have not worsened over the weekend, according to a statement from his office.

Fran DeWine’s symptoms also are mild and are similar to the governor’s.

The DeWines are in quarantine at home, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the release stated.

Both have received a monoclonal antibody treatment. The mAb treatment can limit the amount of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the body and often is recommended for older patients or those with underlying conditions, health experts say.

The governor’s diagnosis came the day after the Ohio Department of Health reported an increase in COVID cases.

The state recorded 4,808 coronavirus cases in the last week, the ODH announced Thursday. This was the first time Ohio’s seven-day case count exceeded 4,000 since the state moved to weekly updates a month ago.

COVID-related hospitalizations remain dramatically lower than they were during the January peak. Kettering Health’s Main Campus recently celebrated a multi-day stretch where it had no COVID patients at all.

The DeWines are fully vaccinated and each have received booster doses.

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