Masked Judge Orders Hotel Confinement, GPS Monitoring for TB Patient

An Illinois judge has ordered a tuberculosis patient to undergo treatment while confined to his residence and to wear a global positioning device to ensure compliance.

Judge John Kennedy of Champaign and most of those at the hearing on Wednesday wore masks, the News-Gazette reports. Air circulation was cut off to the hearing room. The patient, Clasance Botembe, could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if he disobeys the order.

Court records claimed Botembe didn’t follow health department orders to wear his mask in the presence of others, according to WCIA-3. His girlfriend also became infected with the disease.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will pay for Botembe’s rent, food, medication and confinement in a motel or hotel.