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

Shelby County had one of its largest jumps in confirmed cases of COVID-19 overnight with nine new cases confirmed by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Shelby County now has a total of 36 cases, which are among 283 total confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Alabama as of the morning of Tuesday, March 25, according to an up-to-date list published on the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website.

It marked a nine-case jump for the county, which was at 27 as of the last count of confirmed cases on Tuesday afternoon, while the state total jumped from 242 to 283 in that same time span.

Shelby County is one of now 20 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 99 confirmed cases, as their number nears 100, while Lee County is now at 29 and Madison remains at 21.

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

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

This latest update came at 10:30 a.m. At that time, a total of 2,812 people had been tested with no deaths, while 28 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.