South Winston Salem News

Possible exposure to COVID-19 sent six Winston-Salem City Council members and two city employees home for self-isolation until March 26.

Council members Denise D. Adams, Annette Scippio, Robert Clark, Jeff MacIntosh, Dan Besse and John Larson were in self-isolation. 

The council's COVID-19 task force members Meredith Martin, assistant to the city manager; and Evan Raleigh, assistant city manager, also self-isolated, FOX8 reported. 

The officials' health status was unknown at publication time. 

Forsyth County Department of Public Health Director Joshua Swift suggested self-isolation after two individuals at the Congressional City Conference from March 8 to 11 in Washington, D.C. tested positive for COVID-19. Council members and city staff attended the conference. 

Swift suggested the conference attendees self-isolate “14 days from the date of their return,” Winston-Salem posted to its Facebook page. The March 23 council meeting was canceled, according to the Facebook page.

Winston-Salem has an eight-member city council, according to the city's website.

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines issued a stay-at-home order in response to COVID-19 that is in effect until at least Thursday, April 16, according to the city’s Facebook page. The order is for residents and nonessential businesses in the city.

People may leave their homes for essential activities such as those needed for health and safety, essential government functions and operations of essential businesses.