Port of Corpus Christi reports 1st positive COVID-19 case

 An employee at Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA), America’s top crude oil exporting port, has tested positive for COVID-19, the port authority announced, adding it expected to identify positive cases as testing for the virus started to ramp up.

“The individual works in an office where there are minimal interactions with other employees and is now under self-isolation at home. The building where the employee offices has been further restricted from access until a full sanitizing has been completed,” the announcement reads.

“Any PCCA employee who may have come in direct contact with the affected individual must, as a precautionary measure, self-quarantine for 14 days from last contact.”

All port buildings remain closed to visitors and have been closed to non-employees since March 20.

Eligible employees have been working from home since the outbreak emerged in the country, however, some 25 percent of the PPCA administrative workforce returned to work as of June 8.

The port authority said that the returning staff is being provided with health screening and temperature checks on a daily basis and that they have been provided with face coverings.

“The safety of our employees is the number one priority for the Port of Corpus Christi,” said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi. 

“As COVID-19 remains a significant threat to the health of our community, we continue to urge all employees to remain vigilant in social distancing and sanitary practices. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the infected employee and their family members, and I have full faith we as resilient South Texans will safely prevail through these extraordinary times and be better for it.”

The oil-exporting port has remained open during the pandemic having been declared essential infrastructure in line with the U.S. President’s order.