CAMDEN – Gov. Phil Murphy suddenly excused himself from an official event on October 21 after a staff member told him that someone he had close contact with on October 17 who tested positive for coronavirus.
The event was at Camden County Community College – an announcement of $14 million in Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to develop workforce development programs.
Murphy abruptly left the stage after a staff member told him that someone he was with on October 21 tested positive. The governor had taken a test on October 19 which was negative and he has no symptoms.
“I was just informed by my colleagues that I was in close proximity to someone on Saturday who has just tested positive,” Murphy said after attending the event for about 30 minutes. “I will now unfortunately have to take myself off the field.”
He noted that he will get tested again to see if his results change.
Murphy, 63, might be at high risk for problems associated with COVID-19, having had surgery for kidney cancer earlier this year.
It is unclear at this time how the governor or his staff will quarantine.
