Leinbach self-quarantines as a precaution

The commissioners’ chairman will self-quarantine after coming into contact with a COVID-infected person.

Berks County Commissioners’ Chairman Christian Y. Leinbach announced Monday that he will self-quarantine after coming into contact with someone infected with the novel coronavirus.

Leinbach said he has not been tested for COVID-19, but is quarantining out of precaution after attending an event last week with Congressman Dan Meuser.

The Luzerne County

Republican, who represents an expansive congressional district that includes most of northern and eastern Berks as well as parts of seven other counties, announced Saturday he had tested positive.

Leinbach said he was following the advice of his doctor, who recommended the quarantine after learning he had attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a distribution center at Berks Park 78 in Bethel Township last Wednesday also attended by Meuser.

Leinbach said he spoke briefly with the congressman at the event, but that both were wearing masks at the time and practiced social distancing.

However, Leinbach said he contacted his doctor about the encounter after he was informed Saturday that Meuser had contracted the coronavirus.

“My doctor has advised me to self-quarantine, and to monitor my temperature and watch for any symptoms,” he said in a press release. “Currently I have no symptoms. Should symptoms occur, I am to contact my doctor to set up a test.

“I will not be leaving my home until the quarantine is completed,” he added.

State Sen. David Argall also attended the groundbreaking ceremony last week. After being notified Friday by Meuser about his diagnosis, Argall and his wife were tested.

Argall said Monday that both of those tests came back negative.

The announcement by Meuser that he had tested positive marked the second confirmed case in a week among Berks County leaders.

Leinbach’s colleague, Commissioner Michael Rivera confirmed that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after not feeling well for several days.

He and his family are isolating while he works from home.

BEN HASTY — MEDIANEWS GROUP Berks County Commissioners Chairman Christian Y. Leinbach speaks during a press conference held in front of the Berks County Services Center in Reading on Aug. 10 to address the need for people to wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.