https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10350001/Ghislaine-Maxwell-jurors-begin-fifth-day-deliberations.html
The judge in Ghislaine Maxwell's trial sounded a warning Tuesday - the fifth day of deliberations - about coronavirus and said that the rising number of Omicron cases was 'putting at risk our ability to complete this trial.'
Judge Alison Nathan said that it was time to consider asking the jury to 'deliberate until a verdict is reached' but did not specify exactly what she meant, saying she would discuss it later.
According to Judge Nathan, none of the six men and six women on the jury panel had objected to sitting an hour extra each day to deliberate - a 'request' she made on Monday -meaning they finish at 6pm instead of 5pm.
She said that the change was because 'we are seeing an astronomical spike in the number of Covid positive cases in New York.'
Judge Nathan added that 'we are facing a high and escalating risk that the jurors or participants may need to quarantine, putting at risk our ability to complete this trial.'
She added it was time to think about the juror 'making plans to continue to deliberate until a verdict is reached.'
Judge Nathan did not elaborate, although during the week leading up to Christmas she offered the jury an extra day to deliberate, which they declined.
This week will be another short week because of the New Year holiday, with the court expected to be closed Thursday and Friday.