The Dallas County Recorder’s office was closed Wednesday after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
Dallas County Recorder Chad Airhart said he and his five-person staff work in close proximity so “out of an abundance of caution, we have closed to make sure the rest of our staff is healthy and ensuring we’re following CDC and Health Department guidelines, and then we can safely re-open.”
Airhart said symptom-free staff members will return Tuesday, Feb. 16 in order to open mail and process drop-off and electronic submissions, and the office will resume in-person appointments Tuesday, Feb. 23 — 14 days from last known exposure. All staff members have been tested, he said.
“Public Heath, HR and I all agree with this strategy moving forward,” Airhart said. ‘I think this plan covers any health concerns present and ensures we can continue to provide the services we shall for the public while keeping everyone safe.”
This is the first positive case detected in the recorder’s office, which has operated on an appointment-only basis since June in order to limit the number of people in the office and so reduce the chance of exposure. Glass barriers were also installed on counters.
“It has worked well for us and the public,” Airhart said. “We’ve been vigilant about doing our part to remain safe and protect the public.”
The Dallas County Human Resources Department declined to say how many of the county’s 260 employees have tested positive for the virus over the course of the pandemic.
“We do not share the number employee who have tested positive for COVID-19,” said Human Resources Director Beth Deardorff. “According to Dallas County Public Health, you can see the number of positive COVID tests per zip code through their website.”
