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Alabama lieutenant governor tests positive for COVID-19

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2018, file photo, Will Ainsworth, center, then-Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, talks with constituents during the Public Retiree Convention at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala. Lt. Gov. Ainsworth, who has called the state mask order a government overstep, announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, that he tested positive for the new coronavirus. (Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2018, file photo, Will Ainsworth, center, then-Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, talks with constituents during the Public Retiree Convention at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala. Lt. Gov. Ainsworth, who has called the state mask order a government overstep, announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, that he tested positive for the new coronavirus. (Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, File) FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2018, file photo, Will Ainsworth, center, then-Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, talks with constituents during the Public Retiree Convention at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala. Lt. Gov. Ainsworth, who has called the state mask order a government overstep, announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, that he tested positive for the new coronavirus. (Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, File)

By KIM CHANDLER / Associated Press 2 min read

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama’s lieutenant governor, who has called the state’s mask order a government overstep, announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said he had a positive test result but so far, he has no symptoms. He said he took the test after being notified Wednesday that a member of his Sunday school church group had acquired the coronavirus. Ainsworth has criticized mandatory mask orders, although he says he personally wears one.

“Because I follow social distancing rules and wear a mask both in church and in my daily interactions, the positive result shows that even those of us who are the most cautious can be at risk,” Ainsworth said in a statement.

Ainsworth said he “will quarantine for the appropriate period and seek follow-up tests to ensure the virus has run its course before resuming public activities.”

“I appreciate the words of support that have already begun to be extended and am thankful for the prayers that are being offered for my recovery,” he said in a statement.