A SINGLE member of staff at Swindon Magistrates’ Court tested positive for coronavirus between November and January, figures show.

The government published the data for the number of positive Covid-19 cases at each court in England and Wales in answer to questions from MPs this week.

The table, presented in a written answer from courts minister Chris Philp, showed just one positive test result at Swindon Magistrates’ Court between November 24 and January 11. A member of staff was said to have tested positive for the virus.

The table suggests there have been no cases at Swindon Crown Court and Salisbury Crown Court.

However, Oxford Crown Court recorded a total of 20 cases following an outbreak last month. Those affected included 18 members of staff, a juror and one “court user”.

Mr Philp said: “We take swift and robust action for each positive case. There should be no assumption that a positive case indicates that there has transmission within a court or tribunal building.

“The positive incidence rate for HM Courts and Tribunals Service staff has generally tracked the English national average during the pandemic. With the exception of a very small number of locations, our current assessment is that transmission within the estate is limited.”

Since the start of the pandemic, courts have introduced new measures intended to reduce the risk from coronavirus. At Swindon Crown Court, it has meant replacing the jury benches with individual desks for jurors and plastic screens. More hearings are being conducted over video link.

However, nationally lawyers have expressed concerns about safety measures.

On Friday, Law Society president David Greene called for a fortnight-long “pause” on hearings where defendants are on bail – with all but essential hearings adjourned.

The head of the solicitors’ body said: “Due to the rapid acceleration of transmission and the ever-increasing pressures on the NHS, we are now in a position where urgent action within the courts must be taken in order to ensure safety and to assist in the process of stemming the rate of infections and in ensuring that the NHS does not become overwhelmed.”