North Carolina Rep. Keith Kidwell, 60, is hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19.
Kidwell posted on Facebook this week that his wife is hospitalized with COVID. He asked for prayers for her, the IndyWeek reported. The outlet did not confirm if he had tested positive for the virus even though he was showing symptoms consistent with the infection.
A Republican colleague read a message from Kidwell on the State House floor on Thursday, saying “My fever seems to have gone. Just walking to the bathroom is exhausting.”
Republican Speaker of the House Tim Moore confirmed Kidwell was hospitalized on Friday. Moore told reporters he could not comment yet on Kidwell’s condition or if he’d tested positive for COVID, since he was still checking.
According to News & Observer, the Beaufort County Republican Party asked people to gather at 6:30 p.m. outside the Beaufort County Hospital to pray for the Kidwells, the hospital workers and other patients.
It was at this gathering that an individual close to the couple confirmed that Keith had in fact tested positive for COVID.
Kidwell has been a vocal opponent of the measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Kidwell has opposed mask wearing, he has filed lawsuits, joined ReOpen NC rallies and spoken out against mandating vaccines. He is the chief sponsor of House Bill 572, which would block Gov. Roy Cooper from issuing an executive order to require vaccination. The bill passed the House but is stuck in the Senate.
