Former RI Gov. Raimondo Tests Positive For Coronavirus

PROVIDENCE, RI — Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has COVID-19. The former Rhode Island governor credited her coronavirus vaccine and booster for preventing serious symptoms.

Raimondo said she will work from home for five days, then return to the Commerce Department after testing negative. She encouraged anyone who has not yet gotten their COVID-19 vaccine or booster to do so.

"Now is the time!" Raimondo said. "Vaccines are free, convenient, and effective, especially against experiencing the most significant symptoms."

While serving as Rhode Island governor, Raimondo was quarantined several times due to COVID-19 exposures. The first was in December 2020, when Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the then-director of the Department of Health, tested positive without symptoms. Just a few weeks later, in January, she was again quarantined after another potential exposure.