COVID-19 Infected Missouri Poll Official Who Worked Election Day Shift Dies

A Missouri election judge supervisor who worked on Election Day at a polling site despite testing positive for COVID-19 died, bringing the health of nearly 2,000 voters who visited the site into question.

The election official, whose name wasn’t revealed, worked at the Blanchette Park Memorial Hall polling site in St. Charles County, CBS-affiliated KMOV-TV reported, citing the county’s health and election officials.

According to the station, the person received a positive COVID-19 report on Oct. 30, and the private lab, which conducted the test, advised isolation for 14 days but the person came to work anyway. Mary Enger, a spokeswoman for St. Charles County, said in a statement that the County does not have the exact cause of the person’s death yet.

"Authorities have informed the County that this individual has died, although a cause of death has not been given at this time," Enger added.

The County officials didn’t reveal other details about the deceased person, including age and gender.

As many as 1,858 voters showed up at the polling site that day, according to the statement. County officials are of the belief that the voters who arrived at the site didn’t come into close contact with the official as the supervisor's duties don’t typically involve working closely with voters, including handing out ballots or taking voter identification. However, nine election officials were advised to get tested.

Election workers were mandated to wear face coverings at all times and there were barriers placed between the election officials and voters to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Sanitization procedures were also practiced throughout the day, St. Charles County Director of Elections Kurt Bahr said, according to the statement.

"As this virus continues to spread, all aspects of the healthcare system are working together to remind the community that a positive COVID-19 test result requires that person to be responsible to others in the community," the statement quoted Cianci-Chapman, St. Charles County Director of Public Health Demetrius, as saying.

Missouri recorded as many as 202,875 coronavirus cases as of Friday, with 3,243 deaths. The state has ramped up its testing efforts, including conducting community testing events in highly populated areas after experiencing a surge in the number of cases.