City officials in a Georgia town say a local mayor has tested positive for COVID-19.
Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones was contacted by the state Department of Public Health on Wednesday and told he had the virus, according to Augusta news station WRDW. Jones reportedly was tested Sunday afternoon.
Jones had been exhibiting symptoms of the virus since March 19, according to the news report. His symptoms were shortness of breath, dry cough, nausea, loss of smell and taste and clogged ears.
“Mayor Jones remains at home, self-quarantined, as recommended by his doctors. He has been practicing the act of self-quarantining since March 23, 2020.”
Jones is still serving as mayor as he self-isolates, according to officials. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday that residents would be placed under a shelter-in-place order by Thursday for nearly two weeks. The effort is to curb the rapid growth of the disease across the state. More than 4,500 people have been diagnosed, and at least 139 people have died from the virus.
“Mayor Jones can’t stress enough that residents need to follow the CDC guidelines, stay inside their house, don’t go out unless it is an emergency and keep practicing social distancing,” the statement said.
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