Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell has tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus and is at home recovering, the county confirmed Oct. 13 in a news release.
On Oct. 12, Denton County Judge Andy Eads was informed that he could have possibly been exposed to the virus as well. He has entered a two-week quarantine period as a precaution, the county said. Mitchell's positive test was also the reason behind commissioners choosing to meet virtually this week.
“By going into an immediate quarantine, we are ensuring the health and safety of our employees as well as the general public,” Eads said in a statement. “I would ask that you keep Commissioner Mitchell in your thoughts and prayers as she recovers from COVID-19.”
Mitchell, a former Lewisville mayor and longtime county official, is running as a Republican against Democratic challenger Delia Parker-Mims for the Precinct 3 seat on the Denton County Commissioners Court.
The county said its health department is performing contact tracing and informing any person with recent “extended exposure” to Mitchell that they should isolate themselves according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mitchell’s recent schedule included a campaign forum Oct. 7 at Flower Mound Town Hall where she sat in one of the room’s distanced seats, wore a mask and was seen uncovering her face only when she spoke at a microphone away from other attendees.
All four candidates in the Flower Mound Town Council races were present at the forum: David Johnson, Sandeep Sharma, Claudio Forest and Ann Martin. They were seated behind the dais, away from the audience area where Mitchell sat. They delivered their remarks at different microphones from the one she used.
Parker-Mims was not present at the forum, but gave a recorded video statement.
