York County officials did not specifically say Wednesday whether an employee at the county’s protonotary office has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, even when word spread about the courthouse and legal community.
York County protonotary Allison Blew did not respond to a phone message seeking comment Wednesday, and York County President Judge Joseph C. Adams said any confirmation would have to come from the County Commissioners of York or a department head.
Commissioners released a statement Wednesday morning in response to The York Dispatch asking for confirmation:
“To protect the privacy of our employees and the public, York County will neither confirm nor deny any reports of positive COVID-19 cases at our facilities. The County has followed and will continue to follow the guidelines established by the AP Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We encourage everyone at a social distance whenever possible and to wear a mask. If a person believes they may have been exposed, they should be quarantined and contact their primary care provider to obtain more instructions regarding testing. “
Shortly before 4:30 pm, after a journalist argued that officials have a duty to be transparent during a public health crisis, they released an updated statement:
“In the best interest of our employees and the community we serve, we wish to acknowledge that one of our employees recently tested positive for COVID-19. The appropriate case investigation is underway and the necessary safeguards have been implemented,” the statement read. . “As one of York County’s largest employers, we hope to have ongoing positive cases in our workforce … we cannot always determine where, how, or by whom people become infected. That is why they wear masks, social distancing. and avoiding large groups is highly recommended. “
Plus: York County again reports two new COVID-19 related deaths when cases reached 2,067
Plus: Sheriff’s deputies monitor people’s temperatures at the York County Judicial Center
‘Questions without answer’: Attorney Melissa Melewsky of the Pennsylvania Media Association said the county has “an affirmative duty to present this type of information so that the public can take appropriate action.”
That would include whether the affected offices or locations will be closed and disinfected before the public can return; whether people who recently visited a county building should be tested or quarantined; and what steps the county has taken to safeguard public servants and those who trust them, he said.
The updated county statement does not specify which office or building the employee works at, does not detail what steps are being taken in response, and does not indicate whether members of the public may have been exposed.
“The county update is certainly a step in the right direction, but they should consider posting more information,” said Melewsky. “Unanswered questions do not help anyone in this situation.”
Plus: Some Employees, Citizens Mocking Mask Order Inside York County Judicial Center
On Wednesday morning, York County Court Administrator Paul Crouse e-mailed the department heads of the judicial center and others who did not mention the COVID-19 case, but reiterated the county’s policy on handling such cases.
“As you know, many areas of the state are experiencing an increase in the positive results of the COVID-19 tests, so it seems prudent to remind everyone of the procedure that the court will follow when a court employee tests positive,” Crouse wrote in the email. , a copy of which was obtained by The York Dispatch.
Extended emergency: On Monday, Judge Adams issued an order that extended the York County judicial emergency until December 31.
The order limits access and procedures in person and allows “advanced communication technologies” like Zoom for certain court hearings.
Adams’s order also states:
“All persons must wear face masks at all times in all areas of the building directly accessible to members of the public, while elected officials may establish their own protocols regarding the use of masks by employees within the areas from their respective departments not directly accessible to members of the public. “
– Contact Principal Crime Reporter Liz Evans Scolforo at [email protected] or on Twitter at @LizScolforoYD.
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