Three days before his historic inauguration, Mayor-elect Ken Welch has tested positive for COVID-19.
A grand ceremony was planned for St. Petersburg’s first Black mayor on the steps of City Hall on Thursday. Instead, Welch, who will be the city’s 54th mayor, will be sworn in from his Lakewood Estates home and will give a short speech in a virtual ceremony. A reception was postponed.
Welch tested positive Monday morning using a home kit. A second PCR test later in the day confirmed the result. He was fully vaccinated and received a booster shot in November.
On Thursday, Welch told a Tampa Bay Times reporter and photographer to keep their distance during an in-person interview because he was “coming down with something.” A spokesman said Welch took a COVID-19 test on Friday and the result was negative.
This is the second time Welch has contracted the virus. He tested positive with mild symptoms in September. Preston Rudie, his spokesperson, said Welch’s symptoms are “not serious” and he will still take virtual meetings.
In a statement, Welch said he wanted his diagnosis to serve as a reminder to get vaccinated and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
