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11/11/20, 6:21 PMOrange County Courthouse Closes Due to COVID-19 Exposure - Chapelboro.com <br />Page 2 of 6https://chapelboro.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19/orange-county-courthouse-closes-due-to-covid-19-exposure <br />to the public following “an exposure” to COVID-19. <br />Court o!cials for the Hillsborough facility announced <br />the closure on Tuesday, citing a recent threat to the <br />public and court employees’ safety from the <br />coronavirus. According to a release from the North <br />Carolina Judicial Branch, those working at the <br />courthouse have been coordinating a response with <br />Orange County Health o!cials. <br />“We are working quickly to protect the health of those <br />who work in the building as well as the people that we <br />serve,” said Senior Resident Superior Court Judge <br />Allen Baddour in the release. “We’re grateful for the <br />quick response by the Orange County Public Health <br />Department and the County’s Environmental Services <br />Department.” <br />The release from the state judicial branch did not <br />specify whether the “exposure” came from a positive <br />COVID-19 case in a community member or <br />courthouse sta" member. <br />Orange County court o!cials say the courthouse will <br />be closed through at least Friday, November 6, with <br />the exception of some operations. First appearances <br />for in-custody defendants, emergency domestic <br />violence matters and emergency #lings will still occur <br />in-person. Criminal Superior Court matters and Civil <br />District Court matters will be conducted remotely <br />when possible, according to Tuesday’s release. Other <br />matters, including tra!c court and criminal district <br />court, will be rescheduled automatically. Orange <br />County court o!cials said those with such cases will <br />soon receive a letter about a new court date. <br />The North Carolina Judicial Branch said the Orange