Kansas Gov. Kelly doesn’t have COVID after all, her office says, blaming false positive

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly does not have COVID-19 and received a false positive test Tuesday, her office said in a news release Thursday evening.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kelly’s office announced the 72-year-old governor had tested positive for COVID-19 and had mild symptoms following several events for her second term inauguration.

The office postponed Kelly’s annual State of the State address, originally scheduled for Wednesday, until Jan. 24 and said the governor was self-isolating.

In a new statement Thursday afternoon, Kelly’s office said the governor has since received several negative test results and has determined, in consultation with her physician and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, that she does not have COVID-19.

Kelly will return to in-person work at her office in the Capitol on Friday, her staff said. The State of the State address will still take place on Jan. 24.

“After receiving a positive result on a COVID test, Governor Kelly followed all protocols by self-isolating at home while continuing to work,” State Health Officer Joan Duwve said in a statement. “With the increased time indoors this winter, anytime Kansans are not feeling well they should follow the infection prevention protocols, get tested for respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 or influenza, and stay home until they are no longer experiencing symptoms.”