Interim Police Chief Jay Winstead tested positive with COVID Tuesday after only showing symptoms for one day.
“I have felt fine except for the day prior to being notified about my test results,” Winstead said. “I want the public to understand that even if you don’t know anyone personally with COVID, it is very much here and real.”
City employees are tested routinely for COVID, and Winstead said he showed no symptoms until Monday afternoon.
“I have felt fine except that one day with a headache that intensified through the night,” he said. “I also starting vomiting, but when I awoke that next morning, I felt fine. It was that next day, my results came back as positive.”
Winstead immediately quarantined himself upon hearing the results, and he just received word as of press time that two of the three other family members in his home tested negative with COVID. His family is still waiting for the results of the third person. Winstead added that he was not experiencing any symptoms as of press time.
Winstead said the public should take his message as a warning. Even with proper preventative measures, there is always a risk of being exposed to COVID. He encourages the community to follow all safety and social distancing restrictions and wear a face mask when in public.
“At the police department, we have been taking preventive measures for months,” he said. “We have hand washing stations throughout the department. We wear masks inside and outside when dealing with the public.”
Servepro, of Vicksburg, arrived at the Yazoo City Police Department Friday to perform a Level 3, considered the highest level, cleaning of the entire building and courtroom.
“We want to look out for the safety of our employees and the public who may come in contact with our department,” Winstead said. “I am still remaining in constant contact with the department. I am holding online meetings with my commanders and other staff members to ensure that our services are providing without an interruption.”
Winstead encourages the public and businesses that serve the public to take the police department’s lead in dealing with COVID in the case of a positive test result.
“Please continue to social distance and wear your face masks,” Winstead said. “The city orders in place are to protect yourselves and others. COVID is real, and it is very much here.”
