Courthouse hours modified due to COVID-19 cases

By Carol McIntire

Editor

Public access to the Carroll County Courthouse is being altered due to “numerous cases of COVID-19 confirmed inside the courthouse”

Carroll County Commissioner President Bob Wirkner released new hours, effective Dec. 7 after meeting with the courthouse security committee Nov. 30.

“I received a letter Nov. 25 from the county health commissioner indicating numerous cases in the courthouse,” Wirkner stated. “The letter recommended limiting the number of visitors in the building.”

New hours include 8-9 a.m. Monday through Friday for persons of 65 years of age and those with underlying conditions; Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the general public as well as Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special appointments can be made to visit Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1-3 p.m.

Additional health measures will be implemented at the security check at the entrance to the courthouse as well.

“We were advised by the health department that only about 30 percent of those with COVID-19 have an elevated temperature in the early stages,” Wirkner said.

To try to plug the gap, a placard will be placed at the security point describing the various symptoms a person might experience at the onset of COVID-19. If a guest answers yes to any of the questions, they will be turned away. Also, if security personnel witness any symptoms in a person, they will not be permitted to enter the building.

Wirkner said the COVID-19 Defense Task Force plans to meet in the near future as well to discuss safety measures.

The Ohio Department of Health Coronavirus Dashboard listed Carroll County as having 563 total cases, 244 active, 319 presumed recovered and 10 deaths as of Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. There were 36 hospitalizations.

Wirkner urged county residents to safeguard their health and do everything they can to remain healthy as hospital beds in northeast Ohio are essentially full.