Two Cook County offices closed Friday due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Treasurer Maria Pappas closed her office at noon Friday citing a need to "safeguard" taxpayers and employees.

"We have not had a case of the coronavirus in our office, and I want to keep it that way," Pappas said in her statement. "While it is of surpassing importance to protect our employees and visitors to the building from this virus, it is important to continue serving taxpayers."

Employees in the treasurer's office will work remotely to collect tax payments, issue refunds and perform some other duties of the office.

Meanwhile, Assessor Fritz Kaegi decided to shutter his downtown and suburban branch offices to the public "until further notice."

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