Preckwinkle isolates after employee tests positive for virus
CHICAGO (AP) - Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Wednesday that she is self-isolating because a member of her security detail tested positive for the coronavirus.
Preckwinkle said in a news release that she will remain in self-isolation until the end of the day Friday, which would mark the 14th day since the member of her detail was last in her office building and in one of the detail's vehicles.
'œWhile I have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19, in an abundance of caution, and to follow public health guidance, I will self-isolate until end of day Friday, April 10,'ť she said.
She said work crews have deep-cleaned the areas of the building where the employee might have gone and that the vehicle the employee was in was taken out of service to be cleaned.
Preckwinkle also suggested that such measures will continue to be taken.
'œCook County has a large workforce and unfortunately, like all large workplaces and communities, we are likely to continue to learn of more positive test results involving County employees or their loved ones as more tests become available and the virus continues to spread,'ť she said.
Preckwinkle's news release followed the announcement that a the Chicago Fire Department had lost its first member to COVID-19 and days after the police department announced that one of its officers had died of the disease.
Also on Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that a member of his staff had tested positive. But the governor, who said the employee was self isolating at home and was 'œdoing well,'ť said he did not come in regular contact with the employee.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
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