HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she’s in self-quarantine after a member of her office tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a statement from Hidalgo issued on Sunday, she was potentially exposed to the virus on Monday, June 22.
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The staff member’s positive test results were confirmed over the weekend, and that person is currently self-isolating, according to Hidalgo.
The judge and other staff who were potentially exposed will be tested for COVID-19 and will all self-quarantine for 14 days.
According to the statement, Hidalgo has not shown any symptoms.
“Given what we have learned, I will be quarantining at home,” said the judge. “The reality of it is, there are thousands of residents across Harris County that are increasingly finding themselves in the same position I am in today. There are rising numbers of residents testing positive for this virus, and more and more requiring hospitalization. We are at Threat Level 1 – Red – and I continue to call on everyone to stay home except for essential activities. That is the only way we avoid a crisis in our hospital system and put our community in a position to reopen in a smarter and more sustainable way. We will beat this threat together as a community and I will continue to ensure we are pursuing every option we have to bring this back under control.”
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Hidalgo will continue her duties virtually, and normal county operations will continue without interruption.
Most of her staff have already been following work-from-home protocols, read the statement. She said the limited staff working from the office have been consistently wearing masks in the workplace and maintaining social distancing practices.
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