Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., will start to quarantine after someone on his re-election team tested positive for Covid-19, his campaign said Thursday.
The move will force him to miss crucial time on the campaign trail just days ahead of his runoff Tuesday against Democrat Jon Ossoff.
"This morning, Senator Perdue was notified that he came into close contact with someone on the campaign who tested positive for COVID-19," the spokesperson said in a statement.
"Both Senator Perdue and his wife tested negative today, but following his doctor's recommendations and in accordance with CDC guidelines, they will quarantine. The Senator and his wife have been tested regularly throughout the campaign, and the team will continue to follow CDC guidelines. Further information will be provided when available."
Perdue, who is one of the Republicans on the ballot in Georgia's twin runoffs next week, has been campaigning across the state at a breakneck pace and recently held the 100th event of his 150-stop "Win Georgia, Save America" statewide bus tour. He had planned to rally with President Donald Trump ahead of Election Day, but he will be off the trail as polls show a close race.
Perdue has also campaigned at some events with Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who also faces a runoff Tuesday against Raphael Warnock. He was last at a public event with Loeffler in Greene County on Monday. The senators spoke without masks but wore them while taking photos with supporters.
The statement did not indicate when Perdue was exposed. Loeffler's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will campaign for the Democratic candidates in their final push to win control of the Senate, which would shape what Biden is able to accomplish and perhaps whom he is able to get confirmed to serve in his administration.
Ossoff tweeted well wishes to Purdue, his wife, Bonnie, and his staff.
"I hope David, Bonnie, the campaign staff and supporters remain healthy and COVID-negative," he wrote.
