Two Baltimore City courthouse buildings were closed today after test results confirmed elevated levels of Legionella bacteria there and at a third city courthouse which reportedly did not close.

The three impacted buildings – Baltimore City District (People’s) Courthouse at 501 East Fayette Street, Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse at 100 North Calvert Street and Elijah E. Cummings Courthouse at 111 N Calvert Street – were recommended for closure by the city, an announcement by Mayor Brandon Scott said.

Circuit Court officials sent people out the two courthouses on North Calvert Street at about 2 p.m., while sources say the District Court building on East Fayette Street remained open.

The findings come on the heels of the recent discovery of the health-harming bacteria at the State Center complex in Baltimore, which prompted the temporary closure of four buildings there so that the water systems could be flushed and sanitized.

Reacting to the discovery at those buildings of Legionella, which is linked to the potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, state workers said they were fearful.

Union officials protested, saying employees should not be made to return to the buildings until Legionella bacteria was shown to have been brought to acceptable levels. (Employees were ordered to return to the buildings and were supplied with bottled water and advised to wash their hands.)

Abundance of Caution

The findings of Legionella at city-owned buildings were characterized by Scott today as “not related to a public health or safety concern.”

“While the Maryland Department of Health does not require closure, the city is making this recommendation out of an abundance of caution,” the release from Scott’s office said.

The clerk of the Circuit Court, Xavier A. Conaway, voiced more urgent concern about the health implications of the bacteria findings.

“The safety and well-being of our staff, the public and everyone who relies on the services of the Circuit Court must always be our top priority,” Conaway said in a statement today.

“I strongly support the closure” of the two courthouses  on Calvert Street, Conaway said, noting that the decision to close them lies with the administrative judge for the Circuit Court, Audrey J.S. Carrion, while the building at 501 East Fayette Street is under the authority of the Maryland District Court.

Conaway said he supports “the immediate remediation of the water systems,” which will reportedly take place over the weekend.

“Swift and decisive action is the only acceptable response to these findings,” he said.

Earlier this month, Conaway made a public call for proactive testing after Legionella was detected at two District Court buildings – 5800 Wabash Avenue and 700 East Patapsco Avenue.

City Buildings Tested

According to Scott’s news release:

• Testing in the People’s Courthouse and Mitchell Courthouse was conducted on December 9. Results were received yesterday afternoon.

• Testing for the Cummings Courthouse was conducted on December 12. Results were received today.

• The Cummings MECU building (401 East Fayette Street) was also tested on December 12. Results received on December 20 showed “extremely low levels of Legionella.”

Test results are pending at three other downtown city buildings.

•  The Abel Wolman Building at 200 Holliday Street was tested on December 12. Results are expected on or before December 29.

• Tests were also conducted at the Benton Building at 401 East Fayette Street, and City Hall at 100 Holliday Street on December 18. Results expected by January 5.

The Baltimore Health Department has not received any reports of confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease, according to Scott’s office.

But the release notes that “one individual has experienced symptoms and has sought testing for potential impact associated with Legionella bacteria.”