Two of Gavin Newsom's Children Test Positive for COVID-19

Two children of Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom have tested positive for COVID-19.

"Yesterday, two of the Governor's children tested positive for COVID-19," a statement from Newsom's spokesperson Erin Mellon said. "The Governor the First Partner and their two other children have since tested negative. The family is following all COVID protocols."

"The Newsoms continue to support masking for unvaccinated individuals indoors to sip the spread and advocate for vaccinations as the most effective way to end this pandemic," the statement concluded.

Newsom's children are all under 12 years of age and, thus, aren't eligible for vaccinations, Politico reported. Newsom himself received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in April, but hasn't gotten a booster shot.

In July, Newsom pulled his two oldest kids from a summer camp after he learned that the camp violated a state policy requiring facemasks, the aforementioned publication added. His family was quarantined for 14 days in November 2020 after his kids were exposed to a coronavirus-positive California Highway Patrol officer. One of his children was also quarantined that same month after a classmate contracted the virus.

California requires masks for all of its schools and for any unvaccinated people working in state and local government offices that serve the public. The state also requires masks for unvaccinated people working in indoor venues.

California was the first state in the U.S. to require COVID-19 vaccines for state employees, healthcare workers and school staff. While healthcare workers must be vaccinated by September 30 or face termination, state employees and school staff must show proof of vaccination or be tested on a weekly basis.

Approximately 57.6 percent of California's eligible population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

As of September 17, California has reported more COVID-19 cases and deaths than any other U.S. state. California has reported over 4.64 million COVID-19 cases and 67,945 related deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to The New York Times.

California had a dramatic decline in COVID-19 cases in late January. However, its COVID-19 numbers began rising again in July due to the virus' highly infectious Delta variant.

Newsom's children tested positive three days after he beat a recall election attempt to oust him as governor. During the race, Newsom's campaign highlighted the fact that his main Republican challenger, Larry Elder, promised to repeal the governor's COVID-19 prevention measures if elected.

Newsom will re-run for governor in 2022. Polls show him as having a lead over his likely Republican challengers.

Even though some think that the recall election's result could boost Newsom's future chances of becoming president, he has said he has no intention of running.

Newsweek contacted Newsom's office for comment.