Coronavirus: Florida student whose classmates shook Mike Pence's hand tests positive, is quarantined with mom
A student from Florida whose classmates met and shook hands with Vice President Mike Pence has been placed in coronavirus quarantine. Reports state that Pence met with senior cadets from Sarasota Military Academy on Friday, and shook hands with them while also posing for pictures. The Republican was visiting the city for a fundraiser at the Longboat Key home of Representative Vern Buchanan.
The school, on Monday, confirmed that a student and his mother are in quarantine as a precautionary measure. The potential contraction began from the mother of the student who came into contact with a patient at Sarasota Doctors Hospital in her professional capacity. Reports state that the patient has been tested positive for coronavirus now.
The Pentagon is also reportedly in touch with the school about the student. The executive director of schools at SMA, Colonel Christina Bowman, released a statement, saying: "We have been in touch with the Pentagon, so we assured them that particular cadet was not present for that occasion," the Independent reported.
Meanwhile, the Vice President's press secretary, Katie Miller, said in a tweet that Pence did not come into contact with the student now in quarantine. The mother and the student are currently not displaying any symptoms of the virus.
"I want our parents and employees to know we are safe," Bowman said. "We’ve been proactive in sanitizing and teaching our students how to make sure they are washing their hands. We are working with the health department and making sure we are following their protocols. At this time, they are not recommending any exclusions. They are recommending we go about our business every day."
Coronavirus in the United States has claimed at least 9 lives as of Tuesday, and at least 100 people are suffering from the deadly Covid-19. The total number of deaths across the world has crossed over 3,100 and nearly 100,000 people have been infected.
Pence arrived at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Air Force Two on Friday and shook hands with nearly 50 supporters. He also posed for pictures with 44 cadets from the academy. There are currently two confirmed cases of the virus in the state, eight pending cases, 15 negative results, and 184 people being monitored for possible exposure, according to the Florida Department of Health.