Top Stories

Coronavirus cases inside Beaver Co. courthouse prompt shutdown

BEAVER CO., Pa. — Coronavirus cases have been spiking inside the Beaver County courthouse.

One department and the prothonotary (chief clerk) shut down for the week after five out of the 12 employees who work there have symptoms. The clerk of courts stepped in to keep things going.

Officials didn’t specify if anyone else was in close contact with those who are symptomatic.

“We are just starting to see an uptick in cases,” said commissioner Dan Camp. "We are taking all the proper precautions right now from the CDC guidelines.

Other COVID-19 positive employees work in three different departments in the courthouse. Late Monday, the president judge issued an administrative order continuing all cases for the October-November trial term to mid-January.

He is also limiting one commonwealth and one defense attorney in the courtroom.

“It is important that we keep the public safe. This is their house as we call it, so right now what we’re doing is we’re going to continue operating as business as usual and monitor the situation,” Camp said.

Officials told Channel 11 contact tracing is going on right now. No one is allowed in without a mask, but they have no intention of shutting down the courthouse.

A few employees, on the other hand, said they fell the building should be shut down for at least one day for a deep cleaning.