COLUMBUS (AP) — The fourth COVID-19 test result for Gov. Mike DeWine came back negative Saturday after the governor received conflicting positive and negative results ahead of a scheduled meeting with President Trump on Thursday.
The governor and first lady, Fran DeWine, were tested at Ohio State University “out of an abundance of caution” following a rollercoaster day on Thursday that began with DeWine receiving a positive test result and ended with two negatives.
The Republican governor had to take a COVID-19 test Thursday morning in Cleveland as part of a White House protocol for anyone who comes into contact with the president.
The positive, then negative, tests have provided fuel for skeptics of government pandemic mandates and critics of his often-aggressive policies.
The conflicting results come as Americans have grown frustrated over access to testing and quick results and as Ohioans remain divided over DeWine’s actions to deal with the pandemic.
Critics say his early shutdown directives unnecessarily damaged businesses.
He was an early advocate of wearing masks even as some Republicans remained unconvinced.