Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi has tested negative for COVID-19, a day after her Utah gubernatorial running mate Jon Huntsman Jr. announced he had tested positive.
“I received my negative COVID-19 test result today,” Kaufusi said, adding that she is pleased to be officially cleared by medical authorities to resume normal activities.
Kaufusi, a Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, took the test after Huntsman announced Wednesday he likely contracted COVID-19 from one of his campaign staff members, The Daily Herald reported.
The campaign has not identified the staffers or their positions.
Kaufusi reported she followed the protocol outlined by the Utah Coronavirus Task Force and took a screening test twice that indicated she did not need to get tested for COVID-19, Provo City communications manager Nicole Martin said.
“Given her role as Mayor and its required interactions, Mayor Kaufusi took the extra precaution of a nasal swab test to provide reassurance to those she serves,” Martin said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
Editor’s note • Paul Huntsman, a brother of Jon Huntsman, is chairman of The Salt Lake Tribune’s nonprofit board of directors.