Harrison shuts down public works department after employee's relative tests positive for covid-19

Harrison shut down its public works department and closed its municipal building to the public after a family member of a public works employee tested positive for covid-19, township Manager Rich Hill said Wednesday.

The department has a total of 10 employees, consisting of eight workers and two supervisors, Hill said. No one is sick except for the one worker’s relative; his household is under quarantine, according to Hill.

Public works is not doing any work except for emergencies, Hill said. The township’s code enforcement office, which had already stopped work such as rental inspections to reduce contact, is also shut down.

“We’re just trying to be cautious,” he said. “We don’t think anything is going to happen, but we decided to err on the side of caution.”

Public works is in the lower level of the township building off Springhill Road. While the entire building has been disinfected, Hill said they’re not allowing anyone from the public inside.

“We’re not sure how much exposure we had in the building but we decided to get it disinfected just to be safe,” Hill said.

The township closed its meeting room to outside organizations last week, and all meetings there have been canceled until further notice.

Hill said he did not know Wednesday how long the closure of the two departments and the building would last. He was trying to get clarification from the Allegheny County Health Department.

Hill said that township administration and police remain open and functioning. The township can be reached by phone and email; if someone comes for police, officers will meet residents outside, Hill said.

“We’re here working,” he said.