A senior Kamloops city staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.

Civic facilities manager Jeff Putnam identified himself on social media as the staffer who has contracted the virus, saying he won’t be speaking further about his diagnosis but thanked people who expressed well wishes.

Health authorities say there is no risk for any other staff members or members of council having been exposed.

City manager David Trawin says the chief Medical Health Officer for Interior Health said that the city’s COVID-19 safety protocols prevented others from being exposed.

“Because of the physical distancing and cleaning protocols that we have put in place, none of the employees who may have been exposed are at risk and they are not considered to be contacts,” Trawin says.

“We remind everyone to be vigilant and continue to practice physical distancing, cleaning, and hand-washing, and to stay home when ill — all the efforts that you have been making to keep yourself and each other safe.”

It’s unclear how Putnam may have contracted COVID-19.

According to health officials, there had been 53 total cases of COVID-19 in the Kamloops area as of July 31.

As of today, there are 18 active cases of COVID-19 in the Interior Health Authority, with no one in hospital.