Two more employees of the North Carolina State Treasurer’s office have tested positive for COVID-19.

Frank Lester, the department’s spokesperson, confirmed that number Monday, a week after announcing that Dale Folwell, the state treasurer, was sick with the virus.

The additional two employees are based in the Raleigh area.

Lester said he could not provide further information about the employees because of personnel laws and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Lester added that department officials are encouraging social distancing and working from home. He said that information technology workers have “done an incredible job” logistically to ensure that the department’s 400 employees had the ability to work from home if they chose.

Lester said that the staff is working hard to make sure that there are no gaps in service amid the virus and that the office is still committed to sustaining the state’s health-care and pension plans.

Folwell announced his condition Wednesday in a news release stating that he had returned from a trip with his son and was symptomatic when he returned to his office in Raleigh on March 16.

Folwell said in the statement that he has a perennial cough and thought his allergies were exacerbating it. He added that he was monitoring his temperature and didn’t see an increase.

But on March 23, Folwell’s doctor tested him for the virus and the test came back positive.

Three days later, Folwell said he could not answer a call from The News & Observer because of the severity of his symptoms.

“I am really focused on saving my energy by not talking which (agitates) my cough and lungs,” Folwell said in a text message directing further questions to Lester.

On Sunday, Folwell did not answer a text message seeking an update on his condition.

Lester said Monday that Folwell remains sick and under the care of doctors. When asked if Folwell was hospitalized he said he had no further information he could provide. Lester said he is relying on Folwell’s family to tell him what they’re comfortable with the public knowing.

Folwell became treasurer in January 2017 after serving in the N.C. House of Representatives and the administration of Gov. Pat McCrory.

Lester said there is no succession plan while Folwell is out sick but that Chief of Staff Chris Farr has been leading the office.

This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Two more test positive for COVID-19 in North Carolina treasurer’s office."