COARSEGOLD — Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) confirmed on Friday that a U.S. Postal Service contracted mail carrier in Coarsegold has tested positive for COVID-19. At this time the source of transmission is under investigation, according to a press release issued Friday afternoon by county officials.
As a result, the Coarsegold Post Office has been closed all day Friday.
Officials said the mail carrier “began exhibiting unrelated symptoms and remained at home. Two days later, the patient went to the hospital for the unrelated symptoms and was tested for COVID-19. The hospital later confirmed COVID-19 and the patient returned to home isolation.”
According to Meiko Patton, communications program specialist at USPS, the Coarsegold Post Office will re-open tomorrow (April 4).
“Customers can speak to the Coarsegold Postmaster for any customer concerns,” Patton said. “They can also see visit our website to see what we are doing at https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/usps-statement-on-coronavirus.htm”
MCDPH Communicable Disease investigators have identified 12 individuals who had qualifying contact with the patient, according to county officials. “All persons with qualifying contact were immediately isolated,” officials added.
Dr. Simon Paul, public health officer with the Madera County Department of Public Health, said Friday that residents worried about contracting coronavirus from their packages should not be concerned. “While we cannot say the risk of contracting COVID-19 from mail is zero, there is no evidence to date of any transmission occurring from this route,” Dr. Paul said.
Dr. Paul also explained the importance of keeping in mind that qualifying ‘contact’ with a person is defined as an encounter within 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 patient for a minimum duration of 10 minutes.
