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By EMILY SPARACINO | Staff Writer and ALEC ETHEREDGE | Managing Editor

A total of 24 cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) have now been confirmed in Shelby County.

Shelby County’s 24 cases are among 215 total confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Alabama as of the morning of Tuesday, March 24, according to an up-to-date list published on the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website.

It marked a two-case jump for the County, which was at 17 as of the last count of confirmed cases on Monday afternoon, while the state total jumped from 196 to 215 in that same time span.

Shelby County is one of now 16 counties with multiple cases of COVID-19 and has the second highest total of confirmed cases, as Jefferson County makes up the bulk of the count with 90 cases, while Lee and Madison counties both have 21 confirmed cases.

In addition to that, Tuscaloosa County has nine, Elmore County has eight, Montgomery County has eight, St. Clair County has four, Baldwin County has three, Chambers County has three, Lauderdale County has three, Mobile County has three, Walker County has three, Calhoun County has two, Cullman County has two and Limestone County has two.

Other counties listed as having one confirmed case of COVID-19 include Franklin, Houston, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Morgan, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Washington.

This latest update came at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. At that time, a total of 2,321 people had been tested with no deaths, while 25 total counties had at least one confirmed case.

It also comes the week after positive tests came out of three Shelby County schools featuring students that have come in contact with people at Oak Mountain Intermediate and Elementary schools, Helena High and Middle schools and Calera High and Middle schools.

Testing for COVID-19 is now being done by appointment at UAB as well as Total Care 280 in the North Shelby area off U.S. 280. You are urged to get tested only if you present symptoms of a fever or cough, or have been in contact with somebody who has the virus.

UAB is encouraging you to call 205-975-1881 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. to describe your symptoms. They will then determine whether you present what could be COVID-19 symptoms, in which case they’ll set an appointment for you to get tested the next day.

If you think you have been exposed or have symptoms, please isolate and call your doctor or nearest medical facility for guidance or call the Alabama Department of Public Health hotline at 1-888-264-2256.

More information on the testing site is available at Churchofthehighlands.com/coronavirus.

For more information about COVID-19, visit Alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/2019-coronavirus.