Missouri governor postpones travel after wife tests positive for coronavirus

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) postponed travel Wednesday after his wife tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Parson spokesperson Kelli Jones told the St. Louis Dispatch that Parson’s wife, Teresa Parson, tested positive after taking a rapid test early Wednesday and that the results of a nasal swab will be coming later in the day.

She had been exhibiting symptoms of the virus, including a cough and nasal congestion.

The governor’s office later announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus, and his office said in a statement that “All official and campaign events have been canceled until further notice.”

Mike Parson was scheduled to attend a ceremonial bill signing event in St. Louis and has also taken a COVID-19 test, the results of which are expected later Wednesday.

The governor was also scheduled to visit St. Charles, Mo., for a campaign event Thursday and participate in a gubernatorial debate Friday in Columbia. 

Parson has caught flak from Democrats for not requiring Missouri residents to wear masks to prevent the spread of the disease.

There have been more than 116,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri, and 1,873 people there have died.