Legislative staffer cleared of coronavirus

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – A legislative staffer who tested positive for the coronavirus last month has recovered and can return to work, the Legislative Research Commission announced Thursday.

“The LRC staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 30 has been released from self-isolation. Our coworker is doing well and was allowed to discontinue isolation after a period of time in which symptoms abated and other guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were met,” LRC Director Jay Hartz said in an email to fellow workers.

The staff member had not been on the Capitol campus since March 16, so “we believe there was a relatively low risk of exposure to other LRC staff,” Hartz wrote.

At the time, the agency notified staff and alerted coworkers who may have had contact with the staff member about self-isolation and quarantine protocols.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we also thoroughly cleaned areas of the building where the staff member worked,” Hartz re-iterated

“It is a great relief to know that our coworker has recovered so well and is no longer in quarantine. Our colleague will begin the process of returning to work in accordance with our staffing plan and the needs of the agency,” Hartz added.

He reminded staffers of the dangers of the coronavirus and precautions to prevents its spread, noting, “It is vitally important that all staff continue to monitor their health closely.”