Harris Co. judge Lina Hidalgo self-quarantined after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she is in quarantine after a member of her office tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a statement by Hidalgo released on Sunday, she was potentially exposed to the virus on Monday, June 22.

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Positive results from the staff member’s tests were confirmed over the weekend, and that person is currently self-isolating, according to Hidalgo.

The judge and other potentially exposed staff will be screened for COVID-19 and will be quarantined for 14 days.

According to the statement, Hidalgo has not shown any symptoms.

“Given what we have learned, I will be quarantined at home,” said the judge. “The reality is that there are thousands of residents throughout Harris County who are increasingly in the same position I am today. There are a growing number of residents who test positive for this virus, and increasingly require hospitalization. We are in Threat Level 1 – Red – and I keep asking everyone to stay home, except essential activities. That is the only way to avoid a crisis in our hospital system and put our community in a position to reopen in a way smarter and more sustainable together. We are going to overcome this threat together as a community and I will continue to make sure that we are looking for all the options that we have to re-control this. “

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Hidalgo will continue his duties virtually, and normal county operations will continue without interruption.

Most of your staff have already followed work-from-home protocols, read the statement. She said the limited staff who worked from the office always wore masks in the workplace and maintained social distancing practices.