This Fresno County DMV location had an employee test positive for the coronavirus
An employee at the California Department of Motor Vehicles office in Reedley has tested positive for the coronavirus, the DMV confirmed.
The DMV said the employee received test results Thursday that confirmed he/she had contracted COVID-19, the highly contagious virus.
The DMV did not reveal when the infected employee last worked at the DMV office or when the employee first showed any symptoms of the coronavirus.
It is also unclear how many DMV employees and customers might’ve come in contact with the worker who tested positive for the coronavirus.
The DMV, in a response sent to The Bee on Friday afternoon, said the Reedley office will remain closed through April 17 based on the recommendation of the Fresno County Department of Health.
In its message to employees, the DMV suggested that those who may have had contact with the infected worker should contact their local public health department for guidance.
Those employees also were instructed to inform members who reside in their household as well as those they came in close contact with of their potential exposure to the infected worker.
“If you feel sick with fever, cough, or are having difficulty breathing, before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your potential exposure and your symptoms,” the DMV stated in its message to Reedley employees. “If you are subject to quarantine or self-monitoring from a local public health department, you may be provided with the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) benefit or telework may be considered, consistent with department policy.”
The Reedley field office was closed Thursday to allow for cleaning of the facility.
In addition, employees who possibly came in contact with the worker who tested positive have been placed on paid administrative time off through April 17.
DMV offices across California closed starting March 27 to address employee health and safety concerns, including the public contact and increasing social distancing between individuals.
The department then reopened offices in limited capacity on April 2 as a a new online “Virtual Field Office,” a website at virtual.dmv.ca.gov where drivers can “process vehicle title transfers and complex vehicle registrations that would otherwise have to be accomplished in an office.”
This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 6:25 AM.
