Some residents have seen that the Circle K in West Sedona was closed off by caution tape this afternoon in relation to the coronavirus COVID-19.

According to a sign on the front door, “Sorry, this store is temporarily closed following a COVID-19 diagnosis of a store employee. The store will re-open with an alternate team as soon as we complete advanced cleaning and sanitization. The nearest open store is 711 Hwy. 179, Sedona, AZ 86336.”

Staff were not present in the story and no staff answered the phone. The corporate office has not yet returned calls. The front doors were closed with a chain and padlock.

“We don’t have verification of the information on Facebook,” Sedona City Manager Justin Clifton said. “But the health departments are careful about protecting privacy so I’m not sure what information we’ll get.”

“We receive daily COVID-19 updates from Yavapai County Community Health Services and no such information has been confirmed,” Sedona Police Chief Charles Husted said. “Unverified information is dangerous, especially as it relates to the current pandemic crisis.”

“We don’t have specific details,” Husted said about the closure. “It’s nothing we’re involved with.”

“I have no official information,” Sedona Fire District Fire Chief Jon Trautwein said.

SFD Assistant Chief Jayson Coil said the store was closed for cleaning.

“All questions about testing, presumptive cases, confirmed cases etc. should likely be directed to whatever county health department has jurisdiction,” Clifton said. “They’ve already warned us that there is certain information they can’t give us.”

The Yavapai County Community Health Services was not available for comment.

Specific patient information is protected by privacy laws under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.