Allegheny County’s suspension of jury trials through the end of January, though disappointing, is unsurprising, say trial lawyers who practice in the area.

Pennsylvania’s second-largest judicial district put jury trials on hold through Jan. 31 in an order signed by President Judge Kim Clark on Jan. 6. The order says that the court made the decision “recognizing the recent dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County.”