Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

County clerk hopes to reopen Monday after COVID outbreak

BY FRED PETKE

Sun Reporter

After being forced to close after more than half of her staff became sick and positive for COVID-19, County Clerk Michelle Turner believes business may resume next week.

Turner, who has been sick herself, said the Health Department said everyone should go be tested a week ago.

At that point, most of Turner’s staff either tested positive or were sick. There weren’t enough healthy people to open the office nd accomplish business, she said.

“I only have one person on the vehicle side who’s negative,” Turner said. “The three on the property side don’t have it. My bookkeeper is sick.”

One of her employees went home sick Jan. 12, she said. Another tested positive the following day, which led to the entire office being tested, she said.

The goal, she said, is to reopen Monday and begin working through the backlog of work.

Thursday, Turner said, was the first day she was able to get out of bed.

“This is no joke,” she said. “It’s been horrible. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”