Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin has issued an administrative order extending the judicial emergency in the county to March 8 effective Monday, when the previous order was due to expire.

The ruling came the same day as Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that the time-limited orders as written will expire at 8 a.m. Monday, as planned.

“Our mitigation efforts over the past several weeks are working, and I thank everyone who abided by the restrictions put in place to protect us,” Wolf said. “Every time we make a small decision to avoid risk - or take steps to make our actions a little bit less risky - we are helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Wednesday that there were 8,984 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 631,333.

The increase is down slightly from pre-Christmas numbers.

As of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, there were 319 new deaths reported for a total of 15,672 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

Baldwin said he took the action “due to the number of COVID-19 virus cases significantly increasing within the county” and to protect the “health and safety of those who work in and visit the Schuylkill County Courthouse, the Magisterial District Courts and other county offices,” the order reads.

Schuylkill County has been a hot spot, with 7,717 cases to date. On Wednesday, the state reported an increase of 145 cases in the county. There are 243 deaths, an increase of three from Tuesday.

The public is still permitted to enter the courthouse through the security entrance. Upon doing so, a temperature scan will be done.

The order empowers Sheriff Joseph Groody and his deputies to deny entrance to those who refuse a temperature scan, have an elevated temperature or is visibly ill or refuse to wear a face covering. Children under 2 years old and those who can’t wear a mask are excluded from the mask requirement.

As is currently practiced, a phone number will be given to the public to call to see if it is OK to visit if they do not have an appointment.

Waiting in line in the hallways is prohibited, according the order.

Treasurer Linda Marchalk had said previously those who visited her office to pay for properties during upset or judicial sales would sometimes wait in line, something Baldwin wanted to avoid.

Also new, title searchers must have an appointment to examine county or court records and are limited to one person at a time. Two are permitted in the recorder of deeds office. Recorder of Deeds Ann Dudish suggested such a move previously.

Payments are “strongly encouraged” at county and court offices by mail, online, and by phone. Cash payments will be accepted. Those making cash payments for costs, fines and restitution to the Clerk of Courts office will continue to do so by placing money inside envelopes provided by the office and put in a lockbox. Bail can continue to be paid at the Clerk of Courts office.

Each filing office will continue to maintain a drop box at the security entrance. Employees of each filing office shall retrieve the contents during the day. Those filed by 4 p.m. will be docketed and clocked in the same day. For time sensitive filings, the filer shall call the appropriate office to arrange receipt before 4:30 p.m.

Court proceedings will continue to be held by using advanced communication technologies when permissible. Other directives are also stated in the order.