A part-time City employee who helped hand out food to hundreds of children last week, tested positive for coronavirus late Monday night.
The Frederick Douglass R-Center, across the street from Highland Hospital, is one of the places where children are coming to get the breakfast lunch and dinner that they would normally get at school.
The mayor’s office says the employee distributed food to children at the Douglass R-Center last Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, and had no symptoms at the time.
The mayor says the employee gave out food at the R-Center on Adams Street last Wednesday and Thursday, March 18 and 19.
Again, they were symptom-free at the time.
The mayor says the employee started feeling sick on the weekend and got tested.
The mayor says the food is pre-packaged and staff wear masks and gloves.
So the employee didn’t touch the actual food.
The mayor says she was told by the Monroe County Health Department that there is no danger to the students who got their food last week and no danger now.
Warren: “My team has spoken with Monroe County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza and he assured me as well as our team that our meal distribution sites continue to be safe and there is no increased risk to our children, families or employees.”
Brean: “Is the city or anybody trying to track down all of the students, children and families who might have gotten lunch from this employee when she was working?”
Warren: “So at this time, we are working under the direction of the commissioner of health and he does not believe that is something we need to do because of all of the PPE equipment that our staff have been provided and have been utilizing during this time.”
Shortly after that answer, we learned through the Monroe County Health Department that they contacted co-workers and, according to the department, no co-worker needs to be quarantined and there is no increased risk.
Daniele J. Lyman-Torres, Commissioner of Recreation and Youth Services: “We haven’t had any issues with staff who have been contacted. None of those staff have any symptoms, any issues that would preclude them from working.”
The mayor’s office says the city has handed out 56,000 meals to children in the last six days.
Warren: “I want to be clear. If you need food for your children, our schools and R-Centers continue to be available to you and your family. They are safe. They are free. Please use them to feed your kids if you need the help.”
— WHEC