The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) closed a wing of it’s Washington headquarters over the weekend because an employee tested positive for COVID-19, according to Agri-Pulse.
The wing that has been closed is on the second floor of the “South Building” connected to the Whitten building where Secretary Perdue’s office is, they report. Those offices will have been evacuated and remain closed for cleaning.
“An employee in the South Building informed us that on Sunday … the employee received a positive test result for coronavirus,” according to a USDA memo signed by Deputy Secretary Steve Censky. “We have requested that the office suite and affected bathrooms be closed and deep-cleaned in accordance with CDC guidance.”
Additionally, an armed guard is posted at the entrance to the wing to ensure employees stay out.
Agri-Pulse reports a USDA spokeswoman confirmed the notification of the test result and said that “USDA notified employees who work in close proximity to the employee that they should begin teleworking immediately to help ensure the safety and health of our employees.”
