Administrator of North Carolina protest group claims she tested positive for covid-19

A leader of the ReOpen NC group revealed in a Facebook post she tested positive for covid-19, despite not attending any of the faction’s rallies, WFAE reported.

Audrey Whitlock, who administers the group’s Facebook page, told the radio station her quarantine ended Sunday.

“I remained in isolation/self quarantine at my home per the direction of my county health department. I have not attended any events for Reopen NC,” Whitlock said in a statement. She described herself as an “an asymptomatic COVID19 positive patient.”

“Audrey Whitlock posted to the ReOpen NC Facebook page early Sunday saying her two-week quarantine was ending. She described herself as an “an asymptomatic COVID19 positive patient.” https://t.co/btpjMvu6Cn

— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) April 27, 2020

ReOpen NC held a protest in Raleigh on April 21. The group believes the economic cost to the state outweighs the public health threat of coronavirus.

ABC11 estimated nearly 300 people at the gathering, and many were not following social distancing rules and not wearing masks, which are required under Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order. On Thursday, Cooper extended the stay-at-home order until May 8.

In her Facebook post, Whitlock said she plans to attend another protest scheduled for Tuesday.

Also in her post, Whitlock wrote about how the restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic are violating her First Amendment rights, as well as her 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment rights.

She complained that a two-week quarantine violated her civil rights. https://t.co/MEsLu7uhJ3

— The News & Observer (@newsobserver) April 27, 2020

A total of 306 deaths in the state are being blamed on the virus, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.