Judge William Amesbury is seen in a file photo. Amesbury received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus onSaturday morning, prompting the closing of two area country clubs where he had golfedand the likely shutdown of a county building, county President Judge Michael T. Vough said Sunday.
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A Luzerne County judge attended a bar association golf outing while awaiting results of a coronavirus test, which turned out to be positive.
Judge William H. Amesbury received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus on Saturday morning, prompting the closing of two area country clubs where he had golfed and the likely shutdown of a county building.
In a statement released to the media on Sunday, Amesbury said he was informed during the week of July 6 through 10 that “someone who had been at the Penn Place building had a spouse that tested positive for COVID-19.”
Amesbury said in the statement that out “of an abundance of caution,” he contacted his primary care physician and eventually went for COVID-19 test on Monday, July 13. He received the results of the test on Saturday morning, according to the statement.
“As I have shared with my family, co-workers and friends consistently, I have never to my knowledge come in direct contact with a person who was known positive for COVID-19,” Amesbury said.
Another county judge, Fred Pierantoni, golfed with Amesbury at the bar association outing Friday, which means Pierantoni will also be quarantining, Luzerne County President Judge Michael T. Vough said. Friday’s outing was at the Fox Hill Country Club, and the state Department of Health is working on contact tracing to alert anyone who may have been exposed to the virus, Vough said.
Amesbury also golfed at the Wyoming Valley Country Club this past week. Vough said both country clubs have been closed for cleaning.
Amesbury’s county government work last week was limited to the Penn Place building, which means other facilities were not impacted, Vough said. Court officials are working with the county administration on a cleaning plan which is already underway. Vough said Penn Place, which is located in downtown Wilkes-Barre, will be closed Monday at minimum.
Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri issued a statement Sunday afternoon confirming a positive COVID-19 test within the county judiciary.
“This individual’s presence in county facilities was confined to Penn Place last week and currently the symptoms are not serious or critical,” Pedri said. “Per CDC guidelines, 2 negative tests will be required for this individual in order to return to work.”
Pedri confirmed that Penn Place would reopen on Tuesday. He also issued a reminder of the county’s commitment to fighting the spread of COVID-19, and that anyone who comes into contact with a COVID-positive individual should follow the CDC’s guidelines and self-quarantine.
“Wearing masks, practicing good hygiene and following social distancing guidelines continue to be a priority,” Pedri said.
A statement issued by Cathy O’Donnell, the president of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association, didn’t use Amesbury’s name but confirmed a positive test on the judicial staff.
“I have been notified that a member of the judicial staff had a COVID test earlier last week and was notified (Saturday) that it was positive,” O’Donnell’s statement read. “This person did play in the golf tournament and attend the party yesterday.
“It is my understanding, this person participated in contract tracing, and all individuals in close contact are being contacted by the Department of Public Health.”
Amesbury’s staff is quarantining.