UPDATED at 4:15 p.m.
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County Government closed its courthouse and annex buildings at 12 p.m. Friday for COVID-19 precautionary measures.
The buildings were closed after it was learned an employee had tested positive for the virus, according to an updated press release issued by the commissioners’ office Friday afternoon.
The state’s Department of Health has contacted the infected individual, and will conduct contact tracing. Anyone having “close contact” within the past week will be advised to quarantine.
“We’re having a deep cleaning done over the weekend as part of mitigation efforts, with an emphasis on this individual’s high-contact areas,” Commissioner John A. Sobel said. “It’s our wish for all our employees to be safe.”
Sobel said the courthouse and annex buildings will reopen Monday as normal, and the commissioners will be strongly encouraging mask-wearing and social distancing.
He also recommended that people, especially anyone who frequented these county buildings within the past week, to “self-monitor” and be alert for virus symptoms in themselves or others.
The commissioners and DOH are recommending people only have a COVID-19 test done if they are experiencing any of the “relevant symptoms.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms may appear within two – 14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
People should look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
The CDC also recommends that you call your doctor or medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Clearfield County has had 131 total COVID-19 cases while 3,812 patients have tested negative. Of those cases, 107 are confirmed and 24 are probable.