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AFBF's Duvall diagnosed with COVID-19

Updated: Duvall focuses on regaining strength and hopes to return to work next week.

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Zippy Duvall

Updated July 22.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tested negative for COVID-19 on July 21 after testing positive on July 8.

For the past two weeks, Duvall, 64, has been at home battling intermittent fevers, cough and loss of appetite.

"He is now focused on regaining strength and energy and hopes to be fully back in the saddle next week," said Terri Moore, AFBF vice president of communications. "Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers. He is grateful for all the support and encouragement he has received."

After testing positive, Duvall quarantined himself at his home. He missed a White House dinner with Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador due to his diagnosis, MSN reported.

On July 9, Moore reported that  Duvall was "in good spirits" while quarantined.

"(He) made a virtual appearance at an AFBF staff meeting today to say hello," Moore said on July 9. "The staff were, of course, thrilled to see him. He is still experiencing symptoms and resting, but he hopes to be able to resume a full schedule soon."

Duvall attended several events in Georgia in the two weeks prior to his diagnosis and hosts at those events were notified that he tested positive for COVID-19.

Duvall met with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue while attending several USDA-organized events in Georgia on June 25. An AFBF spokeswoman said, "that may have been prior to his exposure to COVID-19, but because we don't know, we followed the CDC guidelines to look back 14 days and advise those with whom he came into contact."

Duvall's most recent post on his Facebook page is from July 5.

View post on Facebook

 

Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski, who serves on the AFBF Board of Directors with Duvall, urged Farm Bureau members to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.

“Those who know Zippy and served with him over the years know of his deeply-rooted faith in God and in the power of prayer,” Bednarski said. “We all wish him a speedy recovery and I trust all of us will keep the Duvall family in our prayers.”

Duvall has been president of the American Farm Bureau Federation since January 2016. He is a third-generation Georgia farmer.

Prior to being elected AFBF president, Duvall served as Georgia Farm Bureau president for nine years.

His wife of 40 years, Bonnie, lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 18, 2020.

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