City tests, isolates some employees after possible exposure to virus

The city of Raeford’s Public Works department and water and sewer operations employees have all been tested for COVID-19, after a city employee apparently tested positive for the virus.

Raeford City Manager Dennis Baxley confirmed Wednesday that there were concerns a city employee may have exposed coworkers to the virus. The situation specifically involved the public works and water and sewer operations departments, Baxley said.

“We had everybody tested and right now they should be on quarantine,” he said.

City leaders “firmly” told employees from the very start of the COVID-19 pandemic that they were to stay home if they felt ill. The employee in question did stay home when symptoms started, Baxley said. Testing the rest of the employees who may have been affected is a precaution.

“Out of an abundance of caution we’ve got those people isolated,” the city manager said.

The city offices continue providing services, but the doors to city buildings have been closed to the public since the start of the pandemic in order to cut down on the possibility of spreading the virus.

Having those department employees isolated while waiting on test results is impacting the way the city usually operates, Baxley said, but sanitation work will continue as scheduled.