Theresa Greenfield off campaign trail after staffers had COVID-19 contact

DES MOINES - Theresa Greenfield, the Democratic candidate in Iowa's U.S. Senate race, has temporarily halted her campaign's statewide bus tour with less than a week remaining before Election Day after it was revealed that some campaign staffers came into contact with an individual who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Greenfield recently tested negative as part of her regular testing but is undergoing further tests, the campaign said Wednesday.

Greenfield is challenging Republican first-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in a race that polls have showed is very close and whose outcome will help determine which party emerges from Tuesday's election with a majority in the upper chamber.

Last week, members of Greenfield's staff came into contact with an individual who later tested positive for COVID-19.

'While masks and social distancing measures are required at all of our in-person events, our campaign is temporarily pausing our RV tour, including (Wednesday's) events, at the advice of medical professionals in order to take appropriate precautions to ensure we protect the health and safety of Iowans and our team,” Greenfield campaign communications director Sam Newton said in a statement. '(Greenfield) is eager to get back on her (get out the vote) tour once we get test results and we're absolutely certain it's safe to do so, which is hopefully very soon.”