Updated Mar 18, 2020 - Politics & Policy

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel tests negative for coronavirus

Orion Rummler

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel at CPAC 2019 on Feb. 28 in National Harbor, Maryland. Photo: Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel tested negative for the novel coronavirus after experiencing a fever and flu-like symptoms, RNC communications director Michael Ahrens said on Wednesday.

Flashback: McDaniel's test was first announced on the same day President Trump told reporters that he took a test for COVID-19, which later came back negative, his physician said.

  • "As she awaits the results, out of an abundance of caution, we are contacting everyone the Chairwoman remembers coming into contact with in recent days. Upon the advice of doctors, she and her family are self-quarantining at home," Ahrens said when first announcing McDaniel's test on Saturday.
  • McDaniel received treatment at a hospital in Michigan, per Ahrens' statement.

The bottom line: COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly between people who are within six feet of each other and through coughing and sneezing, per the CDC. Spread of the virus may be possible before symptoms are apparent.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with McDaniel's test results.

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