Jeannette City Hall closed after employee tests positive for the coronavirus

A Jeannette city employee tested positive for the coronavirus, according to solicitor Tim Witt.

City hall will be closed to the public until further notice for cleaning and disinfecting, he said. Officials learned of the positive test Monday. Witt said the employee is being treated and doing well.

“Unfortunately, municipal governments are not immune to the effects of covid-19 and oftentimes find themselves on the front lines as they continue to provide vital services the public,” Witt said. “The city asks that everyone respect the privacy of its affected employee, and thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers.”

Council approved a policy this month that outlines how the city should respond when an employee notifies officials of a positive or probable case. The policy states that the city will close and ventilate areas where the employee visited for 24 hours before disinfecting.

Other employees could be subject to temperature screenings prior to entering city hall.

The building was closed in mid-March when an emergency declaration was made, but Witt said it had since reopened on a limited basis.