Ohio governor cancels appearances after coronavirus exposure

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced Wednesday he has canceled in-person appearances at events due to a coronavirus exposure. 

DeWine and his wife, Fran DeWine, canceled all in-person events through Sunday after they were exposed to COVID-19 by two staff members. 

The governor’s office said DeWine and his wife both are fully vaccinated and received the COVID-19 booster shot.

Neither have symptoms of the virus and both have tested negative. The governor and his wife will continue to get tested daily. 

DeWine has been very vocal in his support of the vaccine. Ohio is one of the first states that offered a vaccine lottery in order to encourage vaccinations. 

The governor said the vaccine lottery was “very, very successful,” saying “well over 100,000 extra people were vaccinated at a minimum” due to the initiative.

Ohio has 55 percent of its total population vaccinated, according to data from the state.