This Day in Henrico History: Nov. 10 – Henrico reports an outbreak in two county offices

On Nov. 10, 2020, Henrico County announced a COVID-19 outbreak affecting employees of its Voter Registration and Elections Office and Department of Public Works.

The county closed the Administration Building Annex at its western government center for enhanced cleaning and disinfection. Employees assigned to the building were to work remotely Thursday and Friday, following the Wednesday Veterans Day holiday.

Officials began contact tracing and rapid testing. Their initial announcement described eight employees who had either tested positive or developed symptoms, including one awaiting test results.

Deputy County Manager for Public Safety Anthony E. McDowell said officials did not believe people who had voted in person at the government center were potentially exposed. In-person voting there had ended Oct. 31, a week before the first elections office employee developed symptoms on Nov. 7.

The announcement illustrated the pandemic’s effect on daily county operations, forcing a building closure and remote work even after the busy presidential election period.