ST PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz and his family are isolating after tests confirmed all three have contracted COVID-19.
Walz confirmed the news in a released statement Tuesday, stating his 9th grade Gus tested positive Monday, and after initially testing negative the governor and first lady Gwen Walz came back positive later in the day.
“Thankfully, my son has mild symptoms and Gwen and I have no symptoms," Walz shared in a released statement. "My son is vaccinated, and Gwen and I are vaccinated and have received our booster shots, and I am confident that these vaccines are protecting my family and me from serious illness.”
Walz said Gus has some sniffles, a sore throat and congestion but is doing fine. The governor said he personally is experiencing no symptoms at all.
The governor said he will be working from home at the governor's residence until he feels better and tests negative for the virus.
"It's disappointing," Walz said in a Twitter video. "I was looking forward to Christmas with my relatives, my family, looking forward to winning the Yahtzee and Euchre tournaments, which I pride myself on, but those things will have to wait."
As he has since the start of the pandemic, Walz encouraged all Minnesotans to get vaccinated to protect against the effects of COVID.
Walz is not the first member of his inner circle to test positive for the virus. Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan was diagnosed with a breakthrough case of COVID-19 in late October of 2021.