CLEVELAND — Surging COVID-19 cases prompted the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to postpone jury trials through Feb. 4, the court announced this week. 

The court said other court operations will remain functional. 

The court said that anyone who receives a petit (jury trial) summons for Common Pleas Court between now and Feb. 4 will not need to appear. Those summoned to grand jury duty on Jan. 4 and 5 will still be required to report. 

“We took this proactive step for the safety of the public, our staff, and those who appear before us,” says Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this Court has led the state in making difficult decisions to protect the public health. We will continue to monitor the number of COVID cases in Cuyahoga County.”

Cuyahoga County has had a record level of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent days, according to Ohio Department of Health data.