Federal courthouse in Rome closed for possible coronavirus case
The federal courthouse in Rome is being closed until further notice because a court security officer has been hospitalized with symptoms being treated as a presumptive positive for the coronavirus.
In an order issued Tuesday, Chief Judge Thomas Thrash said the duties of the officer brought him into direct contact with staff throughout the courthouse and members of the public who came inside.
As a result, the courthouse and federal building in Rome will be shuttered “to ensure to the extent possible the health and safety of judges, court and agency staff and members of the public from further exposure to or spread of the disease.”
In an order issued Monday, Thrash suspended jury trials and grand jury proceedings for 30 days at all four courthouses in the Northern District of Georgia over coronavirus concerns.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
