US Ohio governor tests positive for coronavirus ahead of Trump's visit
Xinhua
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US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine as he arrives at Akron-Canton airport in Canton, Ohio, US, March 20, 2019. (File photo: Agencies)

WASHINGTON, - Governor Mike DeWine of US midwestern state of Ohio, a key swing state in the 2020 US elections, announced on Thursday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, just ahead of President Donald Trump's planned visit.

"As part of the standard protocol to greet President Trump on the tarmac in Cleveland, I took a COVID test. I tested positive," DeWine tweeted.

"I have no symptoms at this time. I'm following protocol and will quarantine at home for the next 14 days," the 73-year-old Republican said. Local media said he was returning to Columbus, the state's capital city.

"The President wishes Governor DeWine a speedy and full recovery and commends the job he's doing for the great state of Ohio," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

Latest data from the Ohio Department of Health showed there were 96,305 coronavirus cases in the state.