Camden, Tenn.–Effective August 6th, at 3 pm, the Benton County Courthouse will close through Monday, August 17th. County Mayor Brett Lashlee said a fourth employee has been confirmed to have COVID-19.
Lashlee issued the following statement:
“We have had a 4th employee confirmed with a positive COVID-19 test. As a protective measure to our working staff and the public, only business operations will close. The Courts will remain operating with their previously published schedules.
“I am asking department head within the courthouse to not open your offices, but if you are capable of working from home then you are free to do so. I would ask that you forward your phones and email to your remote home working environment.
“Please do your very best to isolate at home. This measure is being taken so as to allow the courthouse workforce to determine whether they could be infected and begin to show symptoms and signs of the virus. I encourage you to get tested if you have not been tested recently. I also ask that you test yourself “again” if you show any signs of the virus. This virus can show a negative test one day, and a positive test the next. If you happen to come back with a positive test, please notify me and your staff asap. I am attaching a guide to follow.
“As for the other department heads, as you know I issued a “mask only” policy in county building and operating environments effective Monday, August 10th. However, if your office becomes directly impacted with a positive COVID-19 case, then I will need you to close such office until your workforce is tested. Confirmed employee test will need to have them remain isolated at home for 14 days.
“I believe this is only going to begin increasing in exposures and impact as time goes on. Please, lets work together as a team and please incorporate good, safe, and effective health measures for yourself, your employees, and your loved ones.”