Two Iowa Department of Transportation employees at the Jefferson garage have tested positive for COVID-19.

DOT Strategic Communications and Policy Director Andrea Henry tells Raccoon Valley Radio the two employees tested positive for the virus within one day of each other, around June 3rd, and as per their policy, those employees were immediately removed from the facility. Henry says through contact tracing, the employees had interaction with other employees from the Jefferson and Boone garages, and so all employees were required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Henry notes that when they are notified of a positive case, the facilities and related equipment are cleaned and sanitized and no one is allowed inside the facility for 72 hours after everything has been cleaned. She points out that the employees who are self-isolating are on paid administrative leave until they can come back to work, or if they feel well enough and can work from home. 

Henry says the Jefferson employees will be back to work on June 17th and the Boone employees return on the 19th. Meanwhile, Heny adds, other area DOT crews are handling local projects in the interim.