Update 5:10 p.m. | A spokesperson for Kansas Gov. Kelly said that she won't be tested for COVID-19 after all.
“Today, the Governor received medical guidance that because she remains symptomless and was not in close contact with Rep. Alcala at Monday’s event, she will not be tested for COVID-19.”
Both Alcala and Kelly wore masks during the event, unless speaking, according to reports.
Original Story | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly plans to take a rapid COVID-19 test Wednesday after a lawmaker who attended one of her public events tested positive.
Kelly spokesperson Sam Coleman said the governor planned to take the test Wednesday afternoon even though she's had no symptoms and likely is not infected. Kelly was vaccinated against COVID-19 and is set to get a booster shot later this week.
Coleman said the governor decided to take the test after learning that the lawmaker who tested positive attended a news conference Monday at a north Topeka grocery. Kelly held the event to announce a proposal for eliminating the state's sales tax on food.
Kelly was masked during most of the event and when she was interacting with lawmakers, reporters and shoppers.
The governor tested negative for COVID-19 in August 2020 after Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. disclosed that he'd been hospitalized for an infection about two weeks before a meeting of Kelly and legislative leaders. Ryckman said a doctor had cleared him to attend the meeting.
