SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif. — San Joaquin County Sheriff Pat Withrow said he recently tested positive for the coronavirus and is now telling others to get tested as well.
In a video update posted on the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, Withrow said he came down with cold-like symptoms on June 30 and scheduled a coronavirus test for the next day. He got his positive test result about eight days later.
Withrow said his symptoms went away about a week ago, and his family hasn't experienced any symptoms.
“I’m fortunate, thank God, that it didn’t progress, because in some families it’s gotten very serious,” he said in the video address.
As of July 13, San Joaquin County has reported nearly 7,000 coronavirus case, 70 deaths, and only 41% of people have so far recovered from the virus. More than 1,500 of those cases have come in just the past week.
Withrow is now encouraging people to get tested for the virus if they feel under the weather.
“If you start not feeling well or anything like that, please get yourself tested,” Withrow said.
The health department is currently helping the sheriff's office make a list of everyone the sheriff contacted.
Sandra Mendez, spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said a large number of people at the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office are being tested across multiple departments, including patrol and office staff.
Withrow said the sheriff's office has been adhering to social distancing and mask wearing guidelines.
"You will never see the sheriff walking around the office without a mask, and social distancing is always observed," said Mendez.
She added that the sheriff was not the first person in the sheriff's office to test positive for the virus. Both personnel who have shown symptoms and personnel caring for a loved one at high risk to the virus are staying home.
"Staffing is as best we can do given the ongoing situation," she said.
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