A senior Republican ally of Donald Trump is receiving hospital treatment for the coronavirus after attending the US president’s campaign rally in Tulsa.
Herman Cain, 74, a former Republican presidential candidate who ran for nomination in 2012, was admitted to a hospital near Atlanta after contracting Covid-19.
“We are sorry to announce that Herman Cain has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently receiving treatment in an Atlanta-area hospital," his staff announced on Twitter.
“There is no way of knowing for sure how or where Mr Cain contracted the coronavirus, but we do know he is a fighter who has beaten Stage 4 cancer.”
We are sorry to announce that Herman Cain has tested positive for COVID-19, and is currently receiving treatment in an Atlanta-area hospital.
— The Cain Gang (@THEHermanCain) July 2, 2020
Please keep him, and all who are battling this virus, in your prayers.
Our full statement appears below. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/lDRW7Rla4e
It is not clear how Mr Cain contracted the virus but the businessman was also present at Mr Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20.
Mr Cain is the co-chair of Black Voices for Trump, and tweeted a photo of himself from the rally.
Here’s just a few of the #BlackVoicesForTrump at tonight’s rally! Having a fantastic time!#TulsaRally2020 #Trumptulsa #TulsaTrumprally #MAGA #Trump2020 #Trump2020Landslide pic.twitter.com/27mUzkg7kL
— The Cain Gang (@THEHermanCain) June 20, 2020
Neither Mr Cain nor those around him in the image were wearing a face mask.
At least eight staffers from the Trump campaign who attended the Tulsa rally tested positive for Covid-19.
"Contact tracing was conducted after the Tulsa rally but we do not comment regarding the medical information of individuals," said Tim Murtaugh, spokesman for the Trump campaign.
"Regardless, Mr Cain did not meet with the President."
But Paris Dennard, a Republican National Committee adviser pictured behind Mr Cain in the tweet, told CNN he had “not been informed about Mr Cain's positive diagnosis" or his admission to hospital.
Mr Cain's medical situation was stable on Thursday.
He “did not require a respirator, and he is awake and alert", his staff said.
The US is experiencing a sharp rise in coronavirus infections and registered more than 50,000 new cases on Wednesday, the highest number in a single day.