[Ho Chu Tiem]

The co-founder of ReOpen Maryland, who organized rallies to pressure Gov. Larry Hogan to lift the state's stay-at-home order, said he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Tim Walters, a former Republican candidate for the General Assembly, said that he had a dry cough for months but it recently worsened. He said he then began to experience an excruciating headache, a fever and the inability to focus with one of his eyes, which led to vertigo.


Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesA group called "Reopen Maryland" gather to protest the restrictions imposed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.A group called "Reopen Maryland" gather to protest the restrictions imposed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Walters, 53, a diabetic who has had mini-strokes, said he went to an emergency room Monday and was diagnosed with the virus.

“Here I am months after not wearing a mask at rallies, churches and so on, and so it’s funny how capricious this thing is,” he said in a Facebook video.

Walters said he doesn't plan to provide health officials with the people he's had close contact with for the contact tracing program.


Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesA group called "Reopen Maryland" say the pledge of allegiance as they gather to protest the restrictions imposed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.A group called "Reopen Maryland" say the pledge of allegiance as they gather to protest the restrictions imposed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images