After spending 18 days in isolation following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Gov. Ralph S. Northam appeared for the first time in public, speaking at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon.

In addition to addressing the kidnapping plot against him by an anti-government militia group that was uncovered by the FBI, discussing federal CARES Act funding and making Juneteenth a permanent state holiday, Gov. Northam talked about his time in isolation in the Executive Mansion with his wife, First Lady Pamela Northam, who also tested positive for the virus on Sept. 24.

He said because several days had passed since the emergence of their virus symptoms, they were cleared to leave isolation by health officials.

According to Gov. Northam, everyone in the governor’s office has been tested, with 65 staff members told to quarantine and none of them testing positive for the coronavirus.

Gov. Northam thanked the public for their well-wishes during the couple’s nearly three weeks of quarantine and isolation. He offered continued warning to Virginians to treat COVID-19 seriously, using his own experience as an example. Initially, the governor was asymptomatic after testing positive for the virus. And just as he was about to leave quarantine, he developed flu-like symptoms, sending him into isolation for another 10 days.

“It is too easy to think, ‘Oh, this will never happen to me.’ But it can,” said Gov. Northam, who wore a face mask to the news conference as he has for months, taking it down only to speak.

The Northams were tested for COVID-19 after a member of their residence staff was found to have tested positive on Sept. 23.

In addition, Gov. Northam stressed the importance of staying socially distanced, wearing masks and washing your hands, especially with winter bringing longer nights, cooler weather and the onset of the flu season.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” the governor said. “And I know everyone is frustrated, but we’re not out of the woods.”