Chris Christie reveals he spent 7 days in the ICU following COVID-19 diagnosis: 'No one should be cavalier about being infected'



Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Thursday revealed that he spent seven days in a New Jersey intensive care unit before he recovered from COVID-19.

What are the details?

According to a CNN report, Christie, 58, warned that the virus is no joke.

"Having had this virus, I can also assure those who have not had it of a few things. It is something to take very seriously," he said. "The ramifications are wildly random and potentially deadly. No one should be happy to get the virus, and no one should be cavalier about being infected or infecting others."

Christie announced his positive diagnosis just a day after President Donald Trump announced his own positive test.

Christie was in also attendance at a Supreme Court nomination ceremony for Supreme Court Justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett, during which he and many others did not wear masks.

The outlet notes that following the event — which is widely believed to be a "super-spreader event" — at least 12 attendees tested positive for COVID-19.

In his remarks on the diagnosis, Christie said he wrongly approached the potential for coronavirus.

"[W]hen I entered the White House grounds [I thought] I had entered a safe zone, due to the testing that I and may others underwent every day," he said. "I was wrong. I was wrong to not wear a mask at the Amy Coney Barrett announcement, and I was wrong not to wear a mask at my multiple debate prep sessions with the president and the rest of the team. I hope that my experience shows my fellow citizens that you should follow CDC guidelines in public no matter where you are, and wear a mask to protect yourself and others."

The former New Jersey governor — who is overweight and suffers from asthma — added, "Every public official, regardless of party or position, should advocate for every American to wear a mask in public, appropriately socially distance, and to wash your hands frequently every day. At the same time, we should be reopening in every corner of this nation under these guidelines."

He concluded, "It is never too late to start. It will take leadership that both challenges and trusts the American people. After all, we are America, the world's greatest hope."

Chris Christie released from hospital following COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment with remdesivir



Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has been released from a New Jersey hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 diagnosis of last week.

Christie was admitted to the hospital last week, just hours after releasing the news of his diagnosis.

Christie, who is 58 years old, is overweight and has asthma, putting him at more serious risk than those without contributing factors who end up infected with the virus.

What are the details?

On Saturday morning, the former New Jersey governor shared the news on Twitter, writing, "I am happy to let you know that this morning I was released from Morristown Medical Center. I want to thank the extraordinary doctors & nurses who cared for me the last week. Thanks to my family & friends for their prayers. I will have more to say about all of this next week."

I am happy to let you know that this morning I was released from Morristown Medical Center. I want to thank the ext… https://t.co/vHixaAeBmp
— Governor Christie (@Governor Christie)1602335671.0

This is Christie's first tweet following the announcement that he'd be checking into the hospital for treatment following news of the positive coronavirus diagnosis.

Last Saturday, he wrote, "In consultation with my doctors, I checked myself into Morristown Medical Center this afternoon. While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure."

In consultation with my doctors, I checked myself into Morristown Medical Center this afternoon. While I am feeling… https://t.co/KTlTraEUOI
— Governor Christie (@Governor Christie)1601761979.0

According to CNN, doctors prescribed the anti-viral drug remdesivir to assist in Christie's treatment.

Christie's positive diagnosis announcement came a day after that of President Donald Trump, who last week announced that he and his wife, Melania Trump, tested positive for the virus.

Trump spent the entirety of last weekend at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment. He was released on Monday.

Last week, the New Jersey Republican told ABC News that he had spent some time "off and on" at the White House and with Trump himself in order to help prep for the president's debate against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Christie isn't the only Trump cohort who has tested positive for the virus after the president's positive diagnosis: White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tested positive for COVID-19 last week, as did Trump aides Kellyanne Conway, Hope Hicks, Stephen Miller, and more.

Chris Christie tests positive for COVID-19



Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) announced on Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the latest in President Donald Trump's inner circle to test positive for the coronavirus.

"I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19. I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two," Christie wrote on Twitter. "I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition."

I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19. I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have rea… https://t.co/lrIZYMD40T
— Governor Christie (@Governor Christie)1601739423.0

"I want to thank all who have called and texted in the last few hours to check on my health. I feel fine and have no symptoms," Christie tweeted on Friday before he knew he tested positive. "I was last tested for COVID on Tuesday (it was neg) and was tested this morning. No results until tomorrow. I will let you know the results from here."

I want to thank all who have called and texted in the last few hours to check on my health. I feel fine and have no… https://t.co/XDs8tud15J
— Governor Christie (@Governor Christie)1601646570.0

The 58-year-old Christie is overweight, which "increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19," according to the CDC.

Last week, Christie interacted closely with Trump to help him prepare for the first presidential debate. On Friday, Christie admitted that none of the people involved with the debate prep were wearing face masks.

"No one was wearing masks in the room when we were prepping the president during that period of time," Christie said. "And the group was about five or six people, in total."

Trump's debate prep team reportedly included Christie, Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway, Rudy Giuliani, Jason Miller, Mark Meadows, Jared Kushner, Kayleigh McEnany, and Alyssa Farah.

Hicks, a senior White House adviser, announced she had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Hours later, Trump and first lady Melania Trump announced that they had tested positive for coronavirus.

Former counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway also announced that she had tested positive for the virus on Friday night, which was celebrated by liberals on social media. Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien also tested positive.

Christie along with many of Trump's orbit attended the White House event celebrating the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court last Saturday. Christie was not wearing a mask at the Rose Garden event that was attended by more than 150 people.

Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who both attended the White House event and are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced they tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

On Saturday, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) also announced that he too tested positive for the virus. He was not at the White House event last weekend.

Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The president was taken to the hospital for precautionary care, and he is receiving an experimental antibody treatment from Regeneron.