JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A poll worker at a Mandarin precinct during the March 17 primary election has been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections.
The individual worked at Precinct 608, located at Freedom Christian Fellowship Church at 3423 Loretto Road. The individual started experiencing symptoms six days after working at the polling site, was tested on March 27 and received a positive test result on Monday.
Due to privacy concerns, the name of the poll worker with the virus will not be disclosed.
News4Jax asked Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan if the poll worker did anything wrong. Hogan said no.
Hogan said it’s vital to alert all the voters and it’s difficult so he’s asking for help getting the word out. He also does not blame the poll worker, who didn’t show any symptoms until six days after the election.
Then they reached out that there were sick and updated that they were getting tested Friday.
“And not only that, they alerted us when they learned of the positive test on the same day,” Hogan said.
The biggest problem for Hogan’s office is how to get the word out immediately to those voters in the precinct in Mandarin.
Since most voters don’t offer their contact info beyond their address, the only way they can alert them is through the mail.
Last week Broward County announced two workers at polls in Hollywood tested positive. That elections office notified 16 other poll workers who were in close contact with the infected workers.
The supervisor of elections advises the 360 voters who went to this location on March 17 that they should also take appropriate steps and seek the counsel of a medical advisor.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing, please self-isolate and contact a medical provider immediately.