OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy says she can not confirm rumors that a city a councilor has COVID-19, but says the councilor in question has not been in any city facilities for the past three weeks.

A letter issued to city residents follows:

Dear Residents, City Employees, and Visitors:

I am writing this letter to you to assure you that you have not been placed at risk if you recently came to any of our City facilities.

You probably have heard rumors by now that a City Official has tested positive for COVID-19, otherwise known as the Coronavirus. Due to privacy laws I am not able to comment on this matter. What I can tell you is that the alleged City Official has not been present in City Hall in the past three weeks. The alleged individual also has not been in any other City facilities during this timeframe.

Anyone who entered City Hall or any other City facilities before they were closed to the public last week need not be concerned about exposure due to being in City Hall. To our employees, who are performing so well and bravely during this time of heightened risk, you also have not been exposed due to this alleged event. And to our visitors, you too have not faced any exposure at our City facilities due to any circumstances of this alleged event.

Anyone who has interacted with any of us who came to your facilities for meetings or discussions also has not faced any risk due to our presence. Anyone who has interacted with any of us personally has not been placed at risk.

Your City government remains vigilant, and is working diligently to protect your safety and health. We want you to be well and will do everything we can toward that goal. Let us all stay safe, stay healthy and stay together yet six feet apart.

Sincerely,

Sarah Purdy, City Manager