City of Watsonville employee tests positive for COVID-19

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) A City of Watsonville official confirmed that a city employee tested positive for COVID-19.

City Manager Matt Huffaker said they closed one of the city buildings on Friday, out of caution, to have it deep cleaned and disinfected.

He said the building has only been accessible by city staff and has not been open to the public for more than five weeks now.

Huffaker said the employee is now self-isolating and receiving proper medical support.

The city received confirmation that the employee tested positive on Thursday.

"We are following best practices to respond to the situation based on guidance from local health officials and the CDC," Huffaker said in a statement to KION. "This incident underscores the need to maintain social distancing at all times, to practice thorough hygiene, to monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms arise, to stay away from others and seek medical advice."