This morning, March 20, 2020, a court employee fell ill at the Family Court building in Georgetown with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The employee was at the security checkpoint and was transported by ambulance from the courthouse to a medical facility, according to a statement released by the court.
The results of a COVID-19 test were not immediately available; however, out of an abundance of caution, court officials are proceeding as though it was a case of COVID-19.
The Administrative Office of the Courts immediately contacted the Delaware Division of Public Health and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and implemented recommended precautionary measures. The Family Court building was immediately cleared, all court calendars were suspended, and employees were sent home. The Georgetown Family Court Courthouse is now closed for cleaning and decontamination procedures.
Individuals who were in close contact with the employee – which is defined as being within 6 feet for 10 or more minutes – have been contacted and provided with instructions to limit their social interactions outside of the home and self-monitor for symptoms.
Employees and visitors to court facilities are reminded that if they do not feel well, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (including fever, coughing and shortness of breath), or believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, they should not report to work or enter court facilities. Those who are ill or believe they have been exposed should instead report that they are ill to their supervisors, if they are an employee, or contact court officials if they had business at the court to inform them of the situation. They should then seek medical care or contact the Division of Public Health, if appropriate.
The courthouse is expected to reopen once decontamination measures have been completed. All employees who were in contact with the individual will remain on self-quarantine for at least 14 days or until test results are returned indicating that this was not a case of COVID- 19.
The Delaware Judiciary continues to monitor any reports of COVID-19 exposure closely and take measures when appropriate to protect public health and the health of our employees.