The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Hancock County has occurred.

Hancock County Sheriff Brad Burkhart and the Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news via a press release Thursday.

In the release, the person diagnosed is a jail staff member and is currently home and in self-quarantine.

According to officials, the employee was last at work on March 8 for a short period of time and notified by an acquaintance that the acquaintance tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member reported the positive result and left work with a mild cough as the only symptom.

“The staff member has been in self-quarantine since that time. On the evening of Wednesday, March 11, the staff member was notified the test result was positive for COVID-19. The staff member remains home with only a mild cough,” the release states.

Officials said the employee was assigned to a post where the staff member was not in direct contact with any inmates at the Hancock County Jail. Furthermore, two other staff members who were in direct contact with the employee are also at home in self-quarantine as a precaution and have exhibited no symptoms.

“The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is working closely with the Health Department, public health officials, agency heads and the judicial system to take appropriate action. Precautionary steps have been taken to limit inmate movement to and from court, limit visitors to the jail and temporarily suspend in jail programs hosted by outside counselors. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary steps to protect the staff, inmates and the citizens of Hancock County,” the release said.