Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee tests positive for COVID-19

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, center, and his wife, Maria, leave the House Chamber after Lee gave his State of the State Address Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, center, and his wife, Maria, leave the House Chamber after Lee gave his State of the State Address Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

By Andy Sher December 19, 2020 3 min read

This story was updated with new information at 8:40 p.m. on Dec. 19.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee tested positive for the coronavirus, Gov. Bill Lee‘s office announced Saturday, hours after the governor said he will address Tennesseans in a prime time Sunday night speech about the state’s raging post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 surge.

“Maria began exhibiting mild symptoms of COVID-19 and it was confirmed this afternoon that she has tested positive,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “I am feeling well with no symptoms and have tested negative for COVID-19.”

Lee said that “out of an abundance of caution, I will be quarantining at the Governor’s Residence and still plan to address Tennesseans about the COVID-19 surge tomorrow.”

The governor plans to speak beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time. His remarks will be broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.