Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence Has Coronavirus

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence has tested positive for coronavirus, he announced Monday. He is not showing any symptoms and is in isolation at home.

Lawrence said he was tested on May 9 at the Black Doctors Consoritum event in Pottstown, where a temporary coronavirus testing site was set up for the day.

"I was strongly encouraged to get tested by (doctors) because I'm in a public position and have exposure to a lot of people," Lawrence said during Monday's news conference, which was done, for the first time, via video conferencing. "Much to my shock, the test came back positive."

He added that he had no known exposure to anyone positive. He said he'll continue to work from home for the next two weeks.

Fellow Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said that she had been tested as well, following Lawrence's positive, and would be working from home until the results came back.

Commissioner Joe Gale, however, said that he would not be getting tested.

"In my opinion, we should leave the testing kits for people that are symptomatic," he said.

Lawrence struck an opposite note, stating how asymptomatic individuals spread the disease.

"This is an example of how we need more community testing, and that asymptomatic people can be positive and never know," he said.

Lawrence helped organize the event in Pottstown, which was the first of its kind in Montgomery County.