A second county employee testing positive for COVID-19 has prompted the Grimes County courthouse to close.
The second positive test was confirmed on Wednesday. County Emergency Management Coordinator David Lilly says that was a springboard to closing the courthouse as a whole.
“That is what prompted the county employees, who work in the courthouse, and any of their immediate family, to go ahead and shelter in their home,” Lilly said.
The Courthouse will remain closed until April 14th, which is the date employees must self-isolate until, and the closure clock began on March 31st. When employees are finished with quarantine and show no signs of symptoms, they will be allowed to return to work.
According to County Judge Joe Fauth, the employee does not reside in Grimes County.
As a result, Wednesday’s meeting of Commissioner’s Court was canceled, with the next scheduled meeting set for April 15th.
Lilly said they are trying to follow up on other possible cases, but as of Wednesday, no new ones beyond the fourth case in the county, announced on Tuesday, have been confirmed.
He says if you have to go out, be sure to take preventative measures.
“There was a recent announcement that asked citizen’s to not even go to the grocery store for the next two weeks. Obviously, that is probably not going to be possible for people to do,” Lilly said. “But, if you do need to go out for any reason, just use all due caution and use protective measures, such as wearing gloves or a mask, and social distancing yourself when you go into the store.”
Lilly added that the Texas Department of State and Health Services informed them that the first three confirmed cases in Grimes County have since recovered.