Westmoreland Commissioner Gina Cerilli tests positive for covid-19

Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli has tested positive for covid-19, county officials said Tuesday.

Cerilli informed the county of her positive test results Tuesday and is following isolation recommendations.

Cerilli told the Tribune-Review Tuesday was the second day she experienced symptoms including a “terrible headache” and an elevated temperature. She said she immediately got tested after developing the symptoms and learned of her positive result on Tuesday.

She said she’s been drinking plenty of fluids and will seek medical attention if needed.

County officials said in a news release that they “immediately implemented steps to minimize the impact to our workplace and to keep all employees healthy and safe,” noting they had “already implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of the commissioners’ suite” and were taking other precautions, including requiring temperature checks and use of face masks.

Contact tracing will be conducted by the county’s human resources department.

Cerilli said she couldn’t tell where she may have been exposed to the virus. “It could have been at a grocery store or a gas station,” she said. “No one knows.”

Cerilli had not been at the courthouse since Dec. 4, when she said all three county commissioners were issued laptops so they could work from home.

Despite her symptoms, Cerilli participated by phone in a commissioners’ agenda meeting Tuesday morning.

She expressed hope that she’ll be able to continue taking part remotely in upcoming meetings. “We have a very big week ahead, passing our budget and getting ready for the end of the year,” she said.

Officials extended wishes for Cerilli’s recovery.

Cerilli’s fellow commissioners both previously tested positive for the virus — Chairman Sean Kertes last week, and Doug Chew in October. Chew has recovered while Kertes remains in quarantine.