A Southern California megachurch pastor, who recently visited the White House, announces he's tested positive for COVID-19.
"It started with some fatigue that I was feeling, some aches and pain and fever and then I found out the news I didn't want to find out is that I actually have the coronavirus," said Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside.
He said he got the word on Friday close to a week after he attended in a large prayer rally in Washington D.C. with Vice President Mike Pence and the nomination ceremony in the White House Rose Garden for Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
He is in quarantine with mild symptoms adding "I just wish in a time like this we could not politisize something like this, and show compassion to people that are struggling with this. It's real. It really is a pandemic that has swept our nation and even the world. If the President of the United States can get it, obviously anyone can get it."
Several people who attended the Sept. 26 event at the White House have tested positive. The ceremony was held outdoors but there was also a reception indoors. Images show few people were wearing masks.
President Donald Trump left Walter Reed hospital today after three days to go back to the White House.
The health of the president has come under scrutiny as contradictory statements and confusion reigned about his medical condition after he arrived at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The number of top Republican officials testing positive for the virus continues to grow. In addition to Trump and the first lady, Hope Hicks, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany are positive for the virus.
