Former Gov. Chris Christie said he checked into Morristown Medical Center Saturday afternoon after testing positive for the coronavirus.
“In consultation with my doctors, I checked myself into Morristown Medical Center this afternoon,” Christie tweeted. “While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure.
“I am thankful for our hardworking medical professionals and look forward to coming home soon.”
Christie announced Saturday morning that he had tested positive, one day after President Donald Trump confirmed he and First Lady Melania Trump contracted the virus.
Christie, 58, who has long struggled with his weight, had a gastric band surgery in 2013, and was hospitalized for an asthma attack in 2011.
CNN’s Dana Bash reported Christie drove himself to the hospital as a precautionary measure. He was experiencing a slight fever and aches.
He joins the list of a dozen aides and politicians within Trump’s orbit who have tested positive for the virus, including Kellyanne Conway and Bill Stepien.
The former governor spent four days at the White House last week, beginning at a formal ceremony at the Rose Garden to formally nominate Judge Amy Coney Barett to the Supreme Court, and later helping the President prepare for the first debate against Former Vice President Joe Biden.
During the Rose Garden event, he was seen hugging attendees and speaking closely with other officials without a mask on. He also told ABC News that debate prep was often in a room with five or six people, maskless, until he left Washington D.C. Tuesday.
Christie, a paid analyst for ABC News, appeared on a post-debate roundtable Tuesday night. The network has now ordered staffers who came in contact with him to quarantine for 14 days.
He did not appear at Trump’s now-infamous Bedminster fundraiser Thursday, attended by roughly 300 supporters and high-paying donors. Trump received a positive coronavirus test result hours after, he revealed in a tweet early Friday morning.
Trump was admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland Friday afternoon, and has since received an experimental antibody drug and remdesivir to help treat the illness, the Associated Press reported. He was also administered supplemental oxygen, though it’s unclear when.
After the news of Trump’s positive coronavirus result, Christie announced he tested negative every day he visited the White House through Tuesday and was feeling fine, but took another test Friday — which proved to be positive.
“I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19. I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two,” Christie tweeted Saturday morning. “I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition.”
This story is developing.
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Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz.
Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.
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