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By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Managing Editor

As confirmed cases continue to rise across Alabama, Shelby County hit 150 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday night, April 6, with still five confirmed deaths.

That total has Shelby County with the second most cases in the state behind Jefferson County’s 438, while the five deaths match the highest of any county in the state along with Chambers, Jefferson and Mobile counties.

A total of 912 tests have now been administered in Shelby County, meaning that 16.4 percent of those tested have tested positive.

Behind Jefferson and Shelby counties, Mobile has 148 confirmed cases, Madison 141 and Lee 118. Other high counts include Chambers with 96, Tuscaloosa with 74, Montgomery with 71 and Walker with 54.

Statewide, there have now been 14,765 tests administered with 2,006 of those coming back positive. There have also been 32 deaths confirmed with another 21 reported to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Since the outbreak began on Friday, March 13, the total number of hospitalizations statewide has risen to 240.

So far, positive cases have also been confirmed featuring four local schools including two at Thompson High School, one at either Oak Mountain Intermediate or Elementary School, one at Helena High School and one at Calera High School. Both Helena and Calera students also possibly had contact with someone at the middle school.

It has also been confirmed that an employee at the Alabaster Chick-fil-A tested positive as did Montevallo pastor Ray Dunmyer of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

The Alabaster Chick-fil-A has since reopened for takeout and drive-thru services after a thorough cleaning.

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, It’s About Time Urgent Care in Helena and Columbiana Clinic in Columbiana. You are urged to get tested only if you present symptoms of a fever, cough or shortness of breath, 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.

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

To view an updated dashboard of confirmed cases and see testing sites, visit Alpublichealth.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/6d2771faa9da4a2786a509d82c8cf0f7