Judge Lina Hidalgo tests negative for COVID-19 after staff member contracts virus

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she tested negative after she was forced to self-quarantine when a member of her office tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a tweet posted by the judge on Tuesday, she said she'll continue to follow CDC guidelines and will quarantine until Monday, which marks the end of the 14-day isolation rule.

On Sunday, Hidalgo announced she was potentially exposed to the virus on Monday, June 22.

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The staff member's positive test results were confirmed over the weekend, and that person is currently self-isolating, according to Hidalgo.

The judge and other staff who were potentially exposed were all tested for COVID-19.

According to a statement released at the time, Hidalgo had not shown any symptoms.

"Given what we have learned, I will be quarantining at home," said the judge on Sunday. "The reality of it is, there are thousands of residents across Harris County that are increasingly finding themselves in the same position I am in today. There are rising numbers of residents testing positive for this virus, and more and more requiring hospitalization. We are at Threat Level 1 - Red - and I continue to call on everyone to stay home except for essential activities. That is the only way we avoid a crisis in our hospital system and put our community in a position to reopen in a smarter and more sustainable way. We will beat this threat together as a community and I will continue to ensure we are pursuing every option we have to bring this back under control."

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Hidalgo said she will continue her duties virtually until she can return to the office, and normal county operations will continue without interruption.

Most of her staff have already been following work-from-home protocols, read the statement. She said the limited staff working from the office have been consistently wearing masks in the workplace and maintaining social distancing practices.