UPDATED: 3/15/20, 10:30 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In an unprecedented development, all federal civil and jury trials in Pennsylvania's Eastern District have been suspended until further notice following a court order.
In the court order, Chief Judge Juan Sanchez says that because the state has declared a "disaster emergency" and because of the increase in coronavirus cases, the court decided it was in the best interest of the public to suspend all civil and jury trials, and new grand juries, until further notice.
Sitting grand juries will continue to meet.
The order also recognizes a defendant's right to a speedy trial, but says that because of county restrictions, there won't be a fair cross-section of potential jurors in the jury pool, and it is in the best interest to postpone. The court order also gives judges discretion to do what's best in their cases.
The delay in jury trials will likely back up other future cases, as new charges and lawsuits are filed. The federal court buildings remain open, but with limited and restricted access for the public.
This announcement comes just after the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed six additional presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus Saturday.
Of the new cases, two adults are from Montgomery County, one adult is from Philadelphia, and one adult is from Chester County. Two were later announced in Allegheny County, bringing Pennsylvania's total to 47 cases.
All are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.
Six of the 47 total cases, one in Delaware County, one in Wayne County and four in Montgomery County, have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This comes a day after Governor Tom Wolf ordered all K-12 schools in Pennsylvania closed for 10 business days, beginning Monday.
In a briefing Saturday afternoon, Wolf announced he would extend his mitigation guidelines to Chester and Bucks counties effective Sunday, recommending closure of nonessential public places. Montgomery and Delaware counties are already under those guidelines.
The Wolf administration later issued additional guidance on which nonessential businesses are being asked to close. Those businesses include community and recreation centers; gyms, including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; bars; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls and except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations. Restaurants are urged only to remain open for carry-out and delivery orders.
Grocery and convenience stores, and gas stations, are considered essential businesses, according to Wolf. He mentioned he is not mandating or enforcing these closures, but calling on people to bring out the best of themselves, use their common sense and good judgment, and do what's right for the best of everyone. Under these guidelines, the Wolf administration asked that people stay at home unless absolutely necessary.
Philadelphia officials say school meals will continue, ask for sensible actions
Philadelphia officials announced plans to open meal distribution sites and youth recreational programs while city schools remain closed through March 27. 30 schools will be used as distribution centers.
"These sites will be opened from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday," said Dr. William Hite, superintendent of schools. "Families can pick up grab and go breakfasts and lunch meals for students from the sites."
A complete list is on the School District of Philadelphia's website.
The city is also hosting limited recreational programs at 50 locations, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Six older adult centers will also remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kathryn Ott Lovell is Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. "We will have sites available to children ages 18 and younger to come and get a meal or to participate in some of those very limited structured number of activities," announced Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. She cautioned those with symptoms to stay at home, but said the city is otherwise looking to provide basic services to its youth population.
The full list of operational recreation centers is on the city's website. All other centers will be closed temporarily.
Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley encouraged Philadelphians not to be afraid to conduct their daily business. "We think that they can use retail stores. We need to be able to sustain this city through this epidemic," he said. Farley did, however, admit the situation is changing rapidly, but said for the time being, people should support local businesses.
Mayor Jim Kenney echoed that sentiment. "I would recommend you wash your hands, stay three feet of people, and go out and have dinner and tip your wait staff, because they are struggling right now," he suggested.
Kenney continued, "We have to figure out a way that we can continue to move forward without panicking to a point where everything shuts down. We may be heathier but the economy will be in the tank and we can't have that."
In response to Kenney's comments, Wolf remarked, "I would say we're in new territory. We're all trying to do our best. I'm sure he is. I know I am. And we're all trying to do the best things for the people we serve. And there will be some disagreements, we'll learn things from each other, and as we move through this, we'll – I'm sure – change our minds many times."
More closures
In an email sent to patrons Saturday, the Free Library of Philadelphia announced all locations would close starting Sunday, March 15 through March 29. All library programs and events are cancelled or postponed.The closures will apply to all 54 branches, Hot Spots and The Rosenbach.Loans will be extended through the closure and materials will continue to be available online.
The Please Touch Museum also announced they will close and cancel all events through March 30. In a letter posted to their website, President and CEO Patricia D. Wellenbach said the museum had offered to stay open to help families affected by school closure, but ultimately decided to close as it wasn't needed as a community resource.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced Saturday they will close 88 locations across the suburban counties in phases, beginning with restricted hours on Sunday leading up to full closure on Tuesday, March 17, until further notice.
Montgomery County adds to its total
"This remains a rapidly evolving situation," said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Montgomery County Chair of Commissioners in a Saturday briefing. Montco officials discussed 3 additional presumptive positive cases identified since Friday, bringing the county's total to 20.
"First, we have an adult female 18 years old who resides in Lower Providence Township. Second is an adult female, 34 years old who resides in Perkiomen Township. Third is an adult male, 38, who resides in Douglas Township," Arkoosh detailed.
None of the patients require hospitalization, and all are at being monitored at home. All three have had contact with another person who tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. Arkoosh said with schools being closed, it's important to monitor those whom people come into contact. "The goal here is to keep a very tight circle of people who you know well, you know where they've been, you know if everybody's healthy," she explained. "This is extremely important."
Arkoosh continued, "No child should walk into another child's house without having their temperature taken and if that child has a fever greater than 104, playdate's off."
The comissioner said businesses should take common sense precautions, and while she didn't outright say businesses should close, Commissioner Joe Gail recognized PREIT, which owns the Plymouth Meeting and Willow Grove malls, for closing both.
Arkoosh added, "If the size of your business does not allow for social distancing proceedures to be put into place, please consider closing."
Inmates and employees quarantined in Delco correctional facility
Officials in Delaware County announced Saturday that while there were no new cases in the county, dozens of employees and inmates at a local county prison were placed under quarantine after one employee tested positive for the virus.
According to Dr. Monica Taylor, vice chair of Delaware County Council, an employee at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility tested positive for COVID-19, triggering the quarantine of over 30 employees and inmates. "This is an example of how one infected person affects countless others," she said. "One positive case led to quarantining 34 others. We are seeing this around the country."
Taylor recommended following Wolf's guidelines, including avoiding large gatherings and staying inside unless necessary. She added that local emergency rooms aren't testing for the virus, so if you feel symptoms, you should call 911 or 1-877-PA-HEALTH.
KYW's Kristen Johanson, Tony Romeo, John McDevitt, Hadas Kuznits, and Antionette Lee contributed to this story.
