(BLOOMINGTON) – Mayor John Hamilton learned late Wednesday evening that the result of a COVID-19 antibody test he was administered was positive, indicating that he has very likely experienced a COVID-19 infection.
The mayor had received two negative results to COVID-19 viral tests administered April 18 and 21, after having experienced moderate flu-like symptoms and been potentially exposed to COVID-19.
Since mid-March, in continuing his work, the mayor has been practicing physical distancing and other recommended protocols and primarily teleworking. Hamilton has not experienced symptoms since April. The mayor self-quarantined during late March and all of April, including while experiencing symptoms and for 14 days after recovering, and continues to follow CDC protocols.
An antibody test checks the blood by looking for antibodies, which may indicate a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC indicates it is not yet known whether past infection conveys immunity from future infection.
The mayor’s positive antibody test result suggests that he is one of five City employees known to have experienced COVID-19 infection. The first two employees diagnosed are back at work after making a complete recovery and the second two are expected to return to work this week.
The City of Bloomington is committed to sharing information about how its operations and workforce are affected by this public health emergency, and will continue to provide updates about confirmed cases among staff while appropriately protecting employees’ privacy.
