Cobb health department employee tests positive for COVID-19

An employee with the Cobb & Douglas Public Health Department has tested positive for COVID-19, the agency confirmed Wednesday.

Department spokeswoman Valerie Crow said the employee was not in “direct contact with staff or clients.” The department did not share information about the employee’s job with the agency, where they worked or if they are hospitalized.

“Due to the wide community spread of COVID-19 in Cobb County this month, we are not surprised to have an employee test positive at this time,” Crow said.

As of noon Wednesday, there were more than 4,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia. Cobb County now has 293 confimed cases, the Georgia Department of Public Health reports.

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Crow said the department is using the same protocols it recommends to other agencies that have employees or clients test positive for the coronavirus.

The health department is screening staff, patients and visitors for fever, cough and difficulty with breathing, which are all believed to be the most frequent symptoms of COVID-19. It has also:

Cut non-essential services at all locations and limited the number of patients who can come in at any given time.
Converted its home visiting nursing services to options that allow patients to see healthcare providers virtually.
Encouraged sick employees to stay at home, provided staff with the option to telework and is asking employees to keep a 6-foot distance between themselves and others.
Placed hand-sanitizing stands at the front entrance of all locations and employee entrances.
Asked employees to wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, particularly if they have been in a public place or after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose.

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