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County offices closed Monday for disinfectionFree Access


Wise County offices will be closed Monday due to an increase in the number of staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19.

County Judge J.D. Clark said he was notified Friday afternoon of two confirmed positives among county staff in two different departments — the Veterans Service Office and County Court-at-Law No. 1 office.

Clark said the Veterans Service Office has been highly restrictive since the start of the pandemic. It has conducted most of its business over the phone or virtually because a large percentage of its clientele is considered to be the most vulnerable population.

The employee who tested positive in the County Court-at-Law office was last at work Thursday.

Clark said although it’s not a large number of positive cases, he wanted to be cautious after seeing how quickly case counts have grown in local school districts the last two weeks.

“We’ve seen the case counts go up in the schools, and we’re a large employer and a lot of members of the public come in and out [of our offices],” he said.

All county offices will be disinfected Monday by county staff. Clark said the county recently used CARES money to purchase AeroClave disinfectant fogging machines for use in buildings.

Clark noted closing Monday also gives employees three days to rest, evaluate how they feel and determine if they’re experiencing symptoms.

“There are so many symptoms that could be COVID, and it’s different for different people,” he said. “We employ 400 people, with a wide variety of demographics and health conditions, and we have a lot of public coming in and out, so we’re just trying to be proactive and preventative.”

In a message sent to elected officials and department heads Friday afternoon, Wise County Emergency Management Coordinator Cody Powell and EMS Administrator Randall Preuninger asked employees to pay close attention to how they feel.

“If you are experiencing any type of congestion, runny nose, cough, elevated body temperature of any amount, gastrointestinal problems, shortness of breath or have been around anyone who may have tested positive for COVID, please do not return to work until you have been tested,” it said. “Take this time to rest and evaluate your symptoms.”

Employees were instructed to follow proper protocol when returning to work Tuesday.

“Wear a mask when not able to maintain social distancing, ensure you are washing your hands regularly and cover your mouth when you cough,” the statement said.

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