Mayor-President Josh Guillory is in quarantine after having close contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19, a release states.
" Tuesday afternoon, Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory was contacted by Dr. Tina Stefanski and was notified that he had close contact – within six feet – for more than 15 minutes with someone who tested positive for COVID-19," the release states. "Guillory promptly began self-isolation after Dr. Stefanski gave him guidance. Her medical advice is that Guillory is to remain in quarantine until Saturday, January 16 at minimum, with two negative tests, 48 hours apart. While in quarantine, Mayor-President Guillory continues to remotely conduct the daily duties of the office, remaining in communication with other elected officials and providing direction to department heads."
So far, he has had no symptoms and an initial COVID-19 test administered Tuesday night was negative.
A spokesman said that contact tracing for people in contact with Guillory began shortly after he was called with the news. The only public event Guillory attended between his exposure and learning of it was the swearing-in of 15th Judicial District Attorney Don Landry, which happened Monday night.
As for LCG employees, "Contact tracing and quarantine protocols are being conducted under the medical expertise of SMS Acadiana Ambulance, all CDC guidelines are being followed," the spokesman said.
The spokesman, Jamie Angelle, said he will be in quarantine this week and will be tested tomorrow. He'll be working remotely, he added.
Guillory will be tested again prior to returning to City-Parish Hall.
"Contrary to misinformation circulating on social media, Mayor-President Guillory had no knowledge of his exposure until the notification from Dr. Stefanski," the release states.
According to the release, a member of the local media was seated next to Mayor-President Guillory at the swearing-in ceremony for the Lafayette City Marshal last Friday. Earlier in the week, that individual was in direct contact with someone who tested positive and was directed to follow CDC guidelines for isolation. Shortly after the event, a second COVID-19 test for the same individual was positive. Mayor-President Guillory was not notified of his potential exposure until Dr. Stefanski contacted him Tuesday afternoon.
On Monday at about 6 p.m., a local satire site posted a question asking where the media person was, and the media person commented on the post: "I'm still here. Got a case of the Covid so I'm out for another week. Haven't had any symptoms but the test was positive..."
The release states that "citizens should follow the advice of their medical providers, follow CDC guidelines, continue to social distance and wear masks when indoors and social distancing is not possible."
KATC spoke with Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas who says he is not in quarantine at this time.
Thomas says he has spoken to health officials and was advised that because he was not in direct contact with the infected person at any time, he does not have to quarantine. A COVID-19 tests for Thomas has come back negative.
