COVID-19 diagnoses prompt sheriff's office closure

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office main administrative office will be closed until March 8 after “office employees” tested positive for COVID-19.

“This closure does not impact response duties to emergency and non-emergency calls for service,” the GCSO said in a statement Tuesday morning.

According to GCSO PIO Kyle Foreman, two support staff tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus who were not sworn officers and the employees were sent home.

As a result, GCSO personnel will not process new concealed pistol permits or pre-employment fingerprinting services until March 8.

However, the GCSO said concealed pistol permit renewals are handled online at bit.ly/3dN7bZM for anyone needing to renew a concealed pistol permit.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com.