Springfield, Illinois – According to a Facebook post made by AFSCME Local 2600, a labor union, a Springfield Healthcare and Family Services employee who works at the Prescott Bloom Building has tested positive for COVID-19.
A photo was forwarded to us, which shows that the Prescott Bloom building, which is located at 201 S. Grand Ave E., is currently closed to all staff members, effective immediately.
The sign also said if you have any questions, to contact Christopher Graham. We reached out to Graham on his cell phone to inquire why the building is closed and also if employees, who are scheduled to come to work, will have to report for work tomorrow?
At the time of this article, and after disclosing to Graham through text messaging that a reporter was reaching out to him, we have not received a response back.
One source, who is an HFS Employee, told us, “I don’t know if anyone has been officially notified for being in contact of this person. I don’t think HFS plans to take any precautions besides cleaning the building.”
In addition to AFSCME Local 2900 disclosing that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19, they also informed employees that the building will be re-opened tomorrow, after being closed over the weekend for cleaning.
But to another source, who is also an HFS Employee, that’s simply not enough. “Everyone uses the same keypad on one door to enter the building. We have no idea who the person is that tested positive, who worked with them, used the elevator with them, or anything. And, as far as I know, HFS is expecting business as usual tomorrow. This is a public health concern. It is going to impact the community when all of us get sick.”
As of 1:19 p.m., an email was sent to HFS Employees telling them the bloom building will be open for business as usual on a Monday morning.
According to Jeff Wilhite, a Sangamon County County spokesman, he told us, “We can NOT confirm if that statement/Facebook post is accurate.”