Denis Walsh.
(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)
March 08, 2021 - 4:46 PM
A Kamloops city councillor and his business partner have tested positive for COVID-19 resulting in their downtown coffee shop being temporarily closed.
"I'm really grateful and thankful I only have a mild case, apparently," Denis Walsh said in an upbeat fashion, adding his business partner also wasn't severely afflicted. He says his wife was tested and she came back negative.
Walsh started feeling ill the day after city council met, March 3, he told iNFOnews Monday.
But Walsh says there was no concern he spread COVID to other council members, and isn't sure how he came down with it.
"We have some really high protocols at the Sandman Centre, where we hold the council meetings. There's a ton of space between everybody, and it's been all OK'ed by Interior Health and we always wear masks," Walsh said.
"I usually don't get headaches," Walsh said, speaking about his symptoms, and that he was suffering from growing fatigue throughout the day.
He says one of the council members sitting nearby was also tested but it came back negative.
Walsh was ordered to quarantine for 10 days when he received his positive test result back on Friday.
That's when he notified staff at his business, the Vic Downtown Coffee Bistro, that he tested positive for COVID-19.
"We will be closed Monday and Tuesday so staff are able to undergo testing - offering additional peace of mind for all involved," reads a post on the coffee shop's Facebook page.
"We're doing extra cleaning to make sure our staff and customers feel as safe as possible," Walsh says.
Walsh also says he will be participating in the city council meeting tomorrow, but he will do so via Zoom.
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