An illustration of the new coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19. Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.

The Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds announced it is temporarily closed due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 among one of its staff members.

“We are all saddened to hear that one of our coworkers has tested positive, but I have made the decision to immediately close the registry and send the entire staff home until further notice,” Register of Deeds John O’Brien said in a statement.

O’Brien said he has urged all members of the registry’s staff to get tested. The registry has also contracted with an outside vendor to perform a complete deep cleaning of the space.

Even though the registry has not been open to the public, registry employees have been working in the facility every day since the pandemic started in March. This is the first time that the Southern Essex District Registry has had to close, O’Brien said.

While the registry is closed, it will continue to serve the public by recording documents electronically in both recorded and registered land until the facility can be reopened.

Further information about the registry closure will be posted at salemdeeds.com.