Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves asked for prayers for the youngest of his three daughters, Maddie, on Tuesday after revealing she had been infected with the new coronavirus.
The governor along with his wife, Elee and other daughters have not tested positive for the virus but the entire family is now in isolation as a result of Maddie’s diagnosis.
“I want to share a prayer request. My youngest daughter just tested positive for COVID-19. She feels OK, but could still use prayers! Please pray for her momma too! Our entire family will be getting tested again and isolating for the time being. Stay safe, and God bless!” Reeves announced on Twitter Tuesday.
He explained in an update that even though the rest of his family has tested negative for the virus they are being closely monitored “since Maddie also had a negative test as recently as yesterday (Monday).”
“We’re going to monitor closely and be cautious. I’ve heard and felt the outpouring of prayers, and they mean the world to Maddie and all of us!” Reeves wrote. “This virus is very contagious and it is not gone—please be careful, stay safe and wear a mask!”
He also reset county-specific orders for Benton, Carroll, Covington, DeSoto, Forrest, Harrison, Humphreys, Jackson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Leflore, Lee, Marshall, Rankin, and Yalobusha.
“I know that we are all tired and ready to move on. But the virus is still here,” Reeves said Wednesday. “It’s still working to infect and kill. We’ve gotten far better at dealing with it, and allowing for life to go on. But we’re not all the way there yet. Keep fighting and protecting the most vulnerable in your life. No matter where you are, please do your best to social distance and wear a mask.”
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported more than 129,000 positive COVID-19 cases and nearly 3500 deaths as of Tuesday. Nationwide, some 10.3 million people have been infected and more than 240,000 have died from COVID-19.