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

A total of 27 cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) have now been confirmed in Shelby County.

Shelby County’s 27 cases are among 242 total confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Alabama as of the afternoon of Tuesday, March 24, according to an up-to-date list published on the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website.

It marked a three-case jump for the county, which was at 22 as of the last count of confirmed cases earlier in the day, while the state total jumped from 215 to 242 in that same time span.

Shelby County is one of now 19 counties with multiple cases of COVID-19 and has the second highest total of confirmed cases. Jefferson County makes up the bulk of the count with 91 cases, as their number nears 100, while Lee County is now at 26 and Madison remains at 21.

In addition to that, Tuscaloosa County has 10, Montgomery County has nine, Elmore County has eight, Mobile County has six, Chambers County has five, Walker County has five, Baldwin County has four, St. Clair County has four, Limestone County has four, Cullman County has three, Lauderdale County has three, Calhoun County has two, Jackson County has two, Morgan County has two, Talladega County has two and Tallapoosa County has two.

Other counties listed as having one confirmed case of COVID-19 include Autauga, Franklin, Houston, Lamar and Marion.

This latest update came at 4:40 p.m. At that time, a total of 2,321 people had been tested with no deaths, while 26 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.