Nine at East St. Louis City Hall now positive for COVID-19, including mayor
Nine employees have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the East St. Louis city manager to extend the closure of City Hall another week.
Brooke Smith initially closed last Monday after three employees, including East St. Louis Mayor Robert Eastern III, tested positive. None are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
But the fast spread from three to nine employees warranted closing the public building for at least another week, Smith said.
“The health and safety of our employees and citizens is our first priority. So, to ensure we are doing our part to keep everyone healthy, we will not have anyone in the building,” Smith said.
“Police and firemen still have to come to work.”
The availability of courtrooms that are operated by St. Clair County at East St. Louis City Hall is up to the county’s discretion, Smith said.
Smith said she will reevaluate the building’s closure again on Friday.
When the first three people tested positive last week, Smith said she ordered additional sanitizing of the municipal building.
“It was done three times after the first employees tested positive,” she said. “Now, we are having it done on a regular basis.
Smith also asked all City Hall employees to get tested.
“We should be wearing our PPE, social distancing and getting tested to protect our health. Stay healthy East St. Louis,” Smith said.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 5:00 PM.
