The COVID-19 pandemic has reached the Joliet City Council with Councilman Michael Turk having tested positive for the virus.

Turk on Monday afternoon said he is recovering although he would not attend the City Council meeting later in the day.

"I've just been hunkered down," said Turk, noting he still has flu-like symptoms but is improving.

Turk said he's been "taking Advil and taking it easy," since testing positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 26 after having a head cold and fever.

"This is probably the best it's been so far with the fever being down," he said when discussing his current condition. "I'm starting to be able to taste and smell stuff."

Turk said he was never out of breath and did not require hospitalization.

"The doctor just said to take it easy, drink liquids, and I have to be fever-free for two days before I can go back to work," he said. "But I want to get tested again, too, because I don't want to spread it."

Turk is the senior member of the City Council and in his eighth term. His seat is one of three at-large council positions on the ballot in April. He has not taken out petitions for election and said Monday he is still weighing whether to run for reelection.

If he continues to recover from COVID-19, Turk said he hopes to be at the next council meetings on Nov. 16 and 17.

Turk is the first member of the Joliet City Council to test positive for COVID-19. He takes precautions when attending council meetings, regularly wearing a mask. In the early stages of the pandemic, when council members had the option of attending meetings remotely, Turk was one of several who took that option.