Coronavirus: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tests positive for COVID-19

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, his wife and his son have all tested positive for breakthrough cases of COVID-19.

>> Read more trending news

Walz confirmed the diagnoses via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s disappointing, I was looking forward to Christmas with my relatives, my family, but those things will have to wait,” he said.

Walz said his teenage son, Gus, tested positive Monday morning after experiencing mild symptoms over the weekend. Walz and his wife, Gwen, both tested negative Monday morning, only to test positive that night, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.

“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 in a statement issued Tuesday.

Walz said that he will quarantine for 10 days and “continue to work from home until I test negative for the virus,” WCCO reported.

“In the meantime, I encourage every Minnesotan to get tested before the holidays, and to roll up their sleeves and get their vaccine and their booster to ensure they, too, have strong protection against COVID-19,” he said.

According to the Pioneer Press, more than 17% of Minnesota residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020, and roughly 22% of cases diagnosed statewide since vaccinations rolled out have occurred in the fully vaccinated. Of the 125,076 breakthrough infections reported to date, 5,026 resulted in hospitalizations and 938 patients died, the newspaper reported.

More coronavirus pandemic coverage:

>> Coronavirus: How long between exposure to the virus and the start of symptoms?

>> What are your chances of coming into contact with someone who has COVID-19? This tool will tell you

>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does

©2021 Cox Media Group