A staff member at the Pine River Library in Bayfield tested positive for COVID-19 this week, prompting a temporary closure of in-person library services.
The library said in a Facebook post Friday it was following precautionary guidelines and closed all services Saturday. For Pine River Valley patrons, curbside services will resume Monday, and material drop-off is still available 24/7.
“(The staff member) did not have any symptoms other than what she thought was allergies,” said Shelley Walchak, library director. “She has not been in the library for a week, but we’re asking all staff to get tested.”
The library staff consulted with San Juan Basin Public Health, identified people who had close contact with the person and completed COVID-19 tests. While they wait for any additional positive test results, they’re limiting entry to the building.
“We’re erring on the side of caution,” said Brenda Marshall, assistant director. “We’re already taking a lot of precautions with the materials, quarantining them and disinfecting high-touch surfaces.”
As of Friday, SJBPH reported that 256 La Plata County residents have tested positive for the disease and 50 Archuleta County residents have tested positive. The health department also said 74 nonresidents have tested positive in the two counties.
“We’ve been sort of expecting it and prepared because it’s a pandemic. But when it actually lands, it is still a shock,” Marshall said. “We’re aware that a lot of the community use the library, and we want to keep people safe. That’s part of the weight of it.”
