BUCKHANNON — No new positive COVID-19 cases have been reported among staff at the Upshur County Courthouse, but restricted access to the courthouse will continue for another week. Upshur County Magistrate and Circuit Courts will resume full operations Monday.

The Upshur County Commission voted in an emergency meeting held Monday to restrict access to the courthouse after four employees tested positive for COVID-19.

During a meeting via teleconference held Thursday with elected officials, county administrator Carrie Wallace said a majority of county employees have been tested for COVID-19.

“As of right now, we have not received any positive test results back that we know of in addition to the four,” she said Thursday morning. “There is one positive [case] that is not a county employee but was in contact with one of the positive individuals from the courthouse.”

“So of the four additional cases reported today [in Upshur County, one can be related to the county courthouse but is not an employee,” Wallace added.

Commission president Terry Cutright told the elected officials the commission would like to stick with the current operations plan for another week and will assess the situation at next week’s Upshur County Commission meeting.

“If you have an employee that showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, please send them to be tested,” he said.

Chief Judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit Kurt Hall issued administrative orders Friday announcing that the Upshur County Circuit Court and Upshur County Magistrate Courts will reopen and be fully operational Monday, Sept. 14.

The orders note that “all health and safety concerns have been addressed and are no longer an issue.”

The commissioners also discussed the Upshur County Grand Jury convening Sept. 14 and the need for face shields for witnesses which will be allocated from the Upshur County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reported 15 active cases in Upshur County as of Friday while the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department encouraged everyone to continue to follow guidelines and be diligent. Anyone waiting for COVID-19 test results should remain self-quarantined.

In other business, the commission:

• approved a Community Development Block Grant Amendment extending the contract period necessary to complete the Elkins Road Public Service District Phase III Water System Improvement project to June 30, 2021.

• appointed Shanna Collins to fill a vacant position on the James W. Curry Library/Park Advisory Board until Dec. 31, 2020.

• approved the transition of Sheila Adam’s temporary employment to a full-time position as administrative assistant in the Upshur County Commission office effective Sept. 13, 2020 at the current rate of pay of $12 per hour. The expense will continue to be charged to the Governor’s COVID-19 Block Grant through Dec. 30, 2020 as Adams’ duties include COVID-19 related tasks.

• approved the removal of Daya Wright as fiduciary commissioner for the Estate of Steven M. Casto per her request that the services are no longer statutorily required.

• declined a request to remove executrix to the Estate of Shirley Martin, noting that the circuit court has superior jurisdiction in the matter.