TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) – Pima County Health Director Dr. Theresa Cullen has tested positive for COVID-19, the county announced Wednesday.
Dr. Cullen’s positive result comes amid an apparent outbreak in the health department that involved 11 employees, the county said. All staff working at the county health department headquarters in Ajo Way are offered tests and staff will work remotely while the building is sanitized.
“This just shows that when there is a considerable community spread of the virus as we are now living across the county, the virus can enter your homes and workplaces in any way, no matter how vigilant you are,” he said county medical doctor, Dr. Francisco Garcia, in a press release.
Last week, the county said there was a protest at the health department headquarters that involved “several dozen” people, most of whom were not wearing masks. Some of the protesters entered the building and maintained close contact with security and other staff members.
Data from the Pima County Health Department show that more than 8,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Pima County in the past seven days. The county says about 7,000 of its employees have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began.