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By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Managing Editor

The state hit a milestone number in its battle against COVID-19 on Monday, May 11, as the total number of confirmed cases surpassed 10,000, while the total number of deaths now exceeds 400.

The latest update from the Alabama Department of Public Health shows 10,164 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and 403 deaths statewide.

Locally, in Shelby County, the numbers continued recent trend with a slight increase. From the morning count of 367, the county had three more confirmed cases of the virus as of 8 p.m. on Monday night with 5,551 tests administered.

With 370 positive tests and 5,551 residents tested, that marks 6.6 percent of those tested getting back positive results, while 2.5 percent of the county’s population has been tested. It also means that 0.17 percent of the population has has had a positive test.

The county’s death total remains at 17.

Of those who have died from the virus statewide, 80.1 percent have been 65 or older, meaning approximately 322 of the 403 deaths have been by those older than 65. Those numbers come despite 63.96 percent of the positive cases being in those between the ages of 25 and 64.

A total of 17.1 percent of the deaths have been in individuals between 25 and 49, while 54.8 percent have been male despite 57.37 percent of positive cases being from females.

Testing numbers across the state continue to rise as 129,444 people have been tested, which marks 2.6 percent of the population. That also means 7.8 percent of those tested have received positive results statewide, while 0.21 percent of the population has tested positive.

Mobile County still has the most number of confirmed cases with 1,474 to this point, while Jefferson County also has more than 1,oo0 cases with 1,131. Montgomery County is at 642, Marshall County is at 576 and Lee County is at 429. Tallapoosa and Chambers counties also now have more than 300 cases with Tallapoosa at 329 and Chambers at 319.

In addition to that, Tuscaloosa, Madison, Franklin and Baldwin have more than 200 confirmed cases. Tuscaloosa is currently at 284 cases of the virus, while Madison has 250, Franklin has 247 and Baldwin has 224.

So far, 1,422 healthcare workers have contracted the virus, while 1,040 long-term care residents and 653 long-term care employees have tested positive.

In addition to that, 463 patients have been in the ICU, while 277 have been put on ventilators since the virus started in the state on March 13. There have also been 1,268 hospitalizations since the onset.

It had also been confirmed that 15 residents and seven employees at the Columbiana Health and Rehabilitation facility had tested positive for the virus two weeks ago. Since then, several have returned back home. In addition to that, nine residents and six employees at Select Rehab, Shelby Ridge in Alabaster have also tested positive.

Since the outbreak started, positive cases have 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 was 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 and an employee at Montevallo City Hall.

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