Woman protesting lockdown tests positive for coronavirus
An organiser of a protest to end coronavirus lockdown restrictions reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to miss several rallies while self-isolating.
Audrey Whitlock runs a Facebook group calling on residents of the US state of North Carolina to revolt against mandatory self-isolation and social distancing being imposed because of the deadly virus.
Ms Whitlock reportedly announced to the group, Reopen NC – which has more than 60,000 members – that she tested for the illness out of curiosity, and was surprised she returned a positive result.
“The test came back positive for COVID and negative for the antibodies,” her post to the group on Sunday (local time) read, according to News Observer.
“After an abundance of caution I notified my primary care physician who advised me on what to do, and I have been in my house ever since.”
She reportedly claimed Sunday was her final required day of quarantine and that she intended to attend a rally scheduled to go ahead in capital city Raleigh on Tuesday (local time).
Ms Whitlock told news site WFAE she “remained in isolation/self-quarantine” while considered infectious and did not attend any protest rallies.
Reports suggested a rally last week attracted more than 100 people, many of who showed no regard for social distancing requirements.
The group has expressed outrage at the extended stay-at-home order announced by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, which will see strict restrictions remain in place until at least May 8.
Photos from a protest on April 21 showed a crowd of people converging down a street, some displaying large signs with messages saying, “let us work”.
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