Washington's governor and lieutenant governor catch Covid

May 25, 2022 / 2:59 pm

caption: Washington Governor Jay Inslee delivers his annual State of the State address on January 11, 2022.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck have tested positive for Covid-19.

Heck says that the two have not been in close contact and the cases are unrelated.

In separate statements on Wednesday, Inslee's and Heck's offices said the Democratic officials are experiencing mild symptoms.

Gov. Inslee's symptoms include a “slight cough.” He is otherwise feeling well. Inslee doesn’t know where he contracted Covid, but he recently returned from California where he attended meetings of the Democratic Governors Association.

Today I tested positive for COVID-19. I have only very mild symptoms, and I'm thankful to be vaccinated and boosted. I hope all eligible Washingtonians consider getting their booster, which is our best tool for preventing serious illness.
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) May 25, 2022

This is the second time that Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck has tested positive for Covid this year. In a statement, he says he’s experiencing mild, but unpleasant symptoms similar to a bad head cold.

Inslee and Heck are fully vaccinated and have received two booster shots. They are both currently working from home. Heck says he’s already receiving the antiviral drug Paxlovid and Inslee says he will soon receive it, too.

In a press briefing unrelated to their diagnoses, Doctor Bob Lutz, a medical advisor to the Washington Department of Health, said Paxlovid is now widely available in Washington.

“There are some limitations to it in that it has to be prescribed by a provider and it has to be prescribed within five days of the onset of symptoms," Lutz said.

Covid cases have been steadily rising in Washington in recent weeks. The state is averaging 245 cases per 100,000 people.

In King County, there is an average of 1,212 daily cases. Hospitalizations and deaths have remained relatively low.