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FROM STAFF REPORTS 

HARPERSVILLE — Harpersville Police Chief Jimmy Macon has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an official press release from the Harpersville Police Department.

On Monday, June 15 around 1:30 p.m., it came to the attention of town officials that the chief received a verbal confirmation stating he had tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, as of 3 p.m. on June 19, five Harpersville police officers have tested negative for COVID-19. The department is still awaiting results from the tests of the remaining six police officers who were tested.

Macon exhibited no symptoms prior to the COVID-19 test and has been instructed by health officials to be retested. The day-shift police officers on duty at the time were sent home and instructed to quarantine while their COVID-19 tests were being processed.

Town officials immediately notified town department heads of the possible exposure of the COVID-19 virus. All employees who were in close contact with the Police Department on or prior to June 15 were encouraged to seek testing for the COVID-19 virus.

On Tuesday morning, June 16, the Police Department building was cleaned and sanitized by a professional disinfectant company.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is currently policing the Harpersville area while the staff of the Harpersville Police Department is under quarantine.

“We are sincerely appreciative of the Sheriff’s Office assisting the Town of Harpersville during this time,” the press release stated. “As of June 18, 2020, two police officers have tested negative. We are still awaiting the results from the remaining police officers.”

All precautionary measures have been taken, and the town is adhering to the guidelines set forth by Gov. Kay Ivey and the Department of Public Health.

“We are actively following the situation and will continue to update the public as more information becomes available,” the release stated.