Former NJ Gov. Chris Christie released from hospital a week after testing positive for COVID-19

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Former Gov. Chris Christie was released from Morristown Medical Center on Saturday, one week after testing positive for COVID-19.

"I am happy to let you know that this morning I was released from Morristown Medical Center," he said in a tweet. "I want to thank the extraordinary doctors & nurses who cared for me for the last week. Thanks to my family & friends for their prayers. I will have more to say about all of this next week."

Christie announced his positive test result in an Oct. 3 tweet, and hours later said he was checking himself into the Morris County hospital as "as a precautionary measure" recommended by his doctors.

He was treated with the experimental anti-viral drug remdesivir, the same drug taken by President Donald Trump last week after he was hospitalized with the coronavirus.

Christie did not immediately respond to the request for comment from the North Jersey Record, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.

Christie, 58, had been with Trump helping him prepare for the first presidential debate against Democratic challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden just days before Trump announced he tested positive for COVID-19. Christie said "no one was wearing masks" during the sessions.

The former governor hadn’t felt or shown any symptoms the day before checking into the hospital. He said at the time that he went to Morristown Medical Center as a precaution because of his lifelong asthma.

He seemed in fine spirits while at the hospital, calling a columnist at the Star-Ledger to rib him over past coverage questioning his purported friendship with the king of Jordan. Christie had faced ethical questions about accepting a gift from the king while in office.

"Guess who just called?" Christie said. "It was his majesty, King Abdullah of Jordan."

Gov. Phil Murphy, who called Christie a "fighter" last week, congratulated his predecessor on Twitter on behalf of himself and his wife.

"Tammy and I are so glad to hear this news," Murphy said. "Wishing @GovChristie a continued recovery."

Fact-check: No evidence ex-N.J. Gov. Chris Christie is on ventilator for COVID-19

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Chris Christie released from hospital after treatment for COVID-19