CLINTON — Clinton Police Chief Paul Rinkel informed Acting City Manager Gene McCullough Wednesday morning he tested positive for COVID-19.
“We do take this situation seriously,” McCullough said. “Chief Rinkel is no exception to COVID-19 and he is very active in our community. We had the entire police department tested and all the results have been negative.”
Rinkel never was in Clinton when he tested positive for COVID-19. He was at his home in Tulsa and was in Tulsa when the spike in the number of cases in Tulsa occurred this past weekend. Thursday, June 11, there were 197 active cases in Tulsa, but by Tuesday, June 16, there were 347 active cases in Tulsa.
Rinkel is quarantining in Tulsa and he is doing well, but it is not known how long he will be out as he heals from COVID-19. It is not known where he contracted COVID-19 either.
The Clinton City Hall and the Clinton Police Department have been disinfected, McCullough said.
While Rinkel is quarantining, Lt. Ray Hammans will serve as the acting head chief of the police department.
“We are fortunate to have him (Hammans), especially with him coming off being the interim chief before Rinkel came here,” McCullough said. “He brings a lot of experience to the position and it has been an uneventful transaction, and everyone has handled this as professionally as possible.”