Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington quarantines after COVID exposure

Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington is under quarantine today after being exposed to someone infected with COVID-19.

Washington began his isolation on Wednesday after being notified that he had come into contact the day prior with a person infected with coronavirus, the supervisor's chief of staff, Michelle DeArmond, wrote in an email.

"It's important to note that Supervisor Washington has been fully vaccinated for months but quarantine was still recommended,'' DeArmond said. "He takes the virus seriously.''

She said Washington was tested for COVID-19 Monday morning.   

"Assuming it comes back negative, which we expect, his quarantine will be lifted at that time," said DeArmond.

The 68-year-old supervisor represents southwestern Riverside County, including the cities of Hemet, Murrieta, San Jacinto and Temecula.    

DeArmond said Washington was "deeply disappointed" that the quarantine forced him to miss the grand opening of the French Valley Library on Saturday.

The Press Enterprise reported that the Board of Supervisors' information technology support team was also quarantining, though it was unclear if the IT team and Washington were exposed to the same person.