County employees test positive for COVID

Over the last week or so a number of Marshall County employees have tested positive for COVID-19. The tax collector’s office is the hardest hit so far.

Tax collector Betty Byrd said four employees in the Holly Springs office tested positive and she and three girls working at the Byhalia office are awaiting test results.

One of her employees who tested positive was in and out of the office in Byhalia twice a day, she said.

“We’re just flying by the seat of our pants,” she said.

Monday, Byrd and two others were the only staff working in the tax collector’s office in Holly Springs.

“All my Byhalia crew is waiting for test results,” she said. “And two employees tested negative.” The employees in the Holly Springs office were all tested Tuesday of last week. One got her results Monday and tested positive, she said.

Byrd said she has been advised that employees can come to work unless they feel sick or received a positive test for COVID.

Some of those with COVID have mild symptoms. Husbands of two of her employees who tested positive also have the virus.

“I don’t even know if the mask works, but that’s the only option right now,” she said. “Let’s go for it.” Also some road and bridge employees have tested positive, and one sheriff’s deputy left work because his wife got positive test results Monday.

Roy Lawson, superintendent of education for Marshall County, tested positive and has been out on a 14-day quarantine. He said he is aware of a couple of employees in the school district who tested positive or came in close contact with someone who had symptoms.

“I feel good,” said Lawson, adding that his symptoms have been more on the mild side.

He said August 17 has been set as the first day students return to school, unless the governor orders postponement of school starting statewide.

Earlier this year, one deputy circuit clerk at the courthouse had COVID. This was after her husband was infected and died of the virus.

As reported Monday by the Mississippi Department of Health, Marshall had 571 cases through August 2, up from 456 the previous week. There have been eight deaths in the county from the virus.s