By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Mayor Joe Thallemer, who has been an outspoken advocate of taking precautions against COVID-19, has tested positive for the virus.

Joe Thallemer

In a statement released by the city, Thallemer said he immediately sought testing when he first noticed a slight fever. He has been working from home since last Wednesday.

“I am relieved that I feel good and am able to continue to work remotely,” he said. 

State guidelines require isolation for 10 days after the onset of symptoms.

The mayor’s statement also urged people to consider getting tested and limiting community spread by quarantining those with confirmed positive results.   

Thallemer strongly recommends that anyone with any symptoms or who feels they have had close contact (within six feet for 10 minutes or more) with someone who has tested positive, should get tested immediately. With the increased availability of free, on-demand testing in our community, every resident, regardless of their ability to afford it or immigration status, now has access to testing.

He also reiterated the need for everyone to take precautions.

“I have worked very hard with the Kosciusko County Health Department to do whatever possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.  Adhering to the recommendations for wearing a mask at public gatherings, social distancing and frequent hand sanitization are critical protections that we all must continue to follow.  While I can’t pinpoint how or when I was infected, I do know that diligently following the required precautions lessens the chance of the spread of the virus,” he said.

Mayor Joe Thallemer (C) is pictured at a Republican party in North Webster on May 28. InkFreeNews file photo by Dan Spalding.