YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County area courts in Canfield and Sebring closed Wednesday afternoon and will remain closed through the rest of the week and Monday because of COVID-19 concerns.

Judge Scott Hunter, administrative and presiding judge for the area courts, ordered the two courts closed Wednesday, citing an employee with access to public and non-public facilities of the courts having tested positive for the virus.

Hunter stated that closing the two courts is being done to “meet the court’s obligation of safeguarding employees, litigants and the public.”

The entry notes that virus infection rates in Mahoning County are “at or near an all-time high.” He added that Mahoning County Public Health recently issued a “Stay at Home advisory.”