LOGAN, W.Va. — The increase of COVID-19 cases in southern West Virginia forced two county court systems to shut-down regular activities Monday until further notice.
Court orders from circuit judges in Logan and Lincoln counties provide for limited emergency hearings to be held.
Logan County Chief Circuit Judge Eric O’Briant signed an two-page administrative order citing information he had received from the Logan County Health Department.
According to Logan County Health Officer Dr. Livia Cabauatan, from March 18 to June 21 there were only 21 positive cases of COVID-19 in Logan County but from June 22 to July 30 the total was 119. Logan County’s cases had exceeded 140 by Monday.
Circuit Judge Will Thompson entered a similar order for Lincoln County Circuit Court Monday afternoon after the Lincoln County Commission called for the county courthouse in Hamlin to be closed because of the current threat.
Thompson signed an order last Friday closing most of the functions of the court system in Boone County for one week after an employee in the Boone County prosecutor’s office tested positive for COVID-19.