Sheriff Who Opposed Mask Mandates Tests Positive For COVID-19

A North Carolina sheriff who has been vocal in his opposition to mask mandates has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page quarantined while working from home since receiving a positive test result in mid-November.

Lt. Kevin Suthard told The News & Observer that the sheriff was doing well, but would not comment on Page's symptoms, or whether there have been other confirmed cases related to the office.

Sheriff Page has previously referred to the governor's statewide mask mandate as “unenforceable.”

Page signed a resolution last May from the North Carolina Sheriff's Association urging the governor to ease restrictions on indoor worship services during the pandemic.

He has also publicly stated that his office would not cite or arrest individuals who didn't adhere to the face-covering mandate.

But Page has since said he encourages individuals to wear masks, and he enlisted the governor's assistance in providing face coverings to the county.

According to the sheriff's office, Page returned to work on Tuesday. 

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