Coplay Borough Council’s July 14 meeting was canceled late last week after residents who attended the July 7 workshop session said they received a call that someone at the workshop meeting had tested positive for COVID-19.

The workshop session was an in-person meeting. During the meeting, social-distancing protocols were followed. Council members were on the stage of the gymnasium. Residents in attendance were in gymnasium seats and separated by empty seats.

“I think it was irresponsible for someone who had been tested for the virus to come to the meeting. If it’s a councilman, they can attend by calling in. They must have thought they had symptoms or they would not go to get tested. If they think they have symptoms, they should stay at home,” said Anne Killeen, a borough resident who was present for the meeting.

The borough did not identify the person who tested positive. The borough did not identify if anyone had a fever or exhibited symptoms during the meeting or before the meeting.

Killeen said she was alerted to the situation by a call from the borough. The borough did not indicate it should be considered an emergency because social-distancing guidelines were followed.

Killeen indicated she is in a difficult spot. She has no symptoms but does not know if she needs to get tested.

Borough resident Mel Procanyn said he was also at the meeting and received a similar message.

“I have no symptoms, and we were all pretty well spread out at the meeting,” he said.

The protocol for self-quarantine specifically states that if you had close contact, you should stay home. There was no close contact at the meeting.

Killeen contacted her health care office to determine her next step. She had not received a call back by press time.

“I understand the borough told me I did not have anything to worry about, but who are they to know? I would be happier if they told me who it was. I would then know if I was close to that person or not,” she said.

As of press time, Killeen and Procanyn have no symptoms of the virus.