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By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Managing Editor

Since last Thursday, April 30, there have been eight new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Shelby County with 540 new tests administered, bringing the countywide total of cases to 328, while the number of tests is now at 4,342.

In the last 24 hours, there has been just one new case of the virus confirmed in the county, which is on par with much of last week, where we saw just one case in a span of 48 hours.

Statewide, however, the number of tests administered has taken a sharp turn in the last week, as the number of tests has now reached 103,302, which means more than 2 percent of the state’s population has now been tested.

So far, of those tested statewide, 7.8 percent have had a positive case, while 7.5 percent of those tested in the county have tested positive with 1.99 percent of the county’s population tested.

The number of statewide COVID-19 cases has now reached 8,112, which marks 1,044 new cases since last Thursday night.

The county’s death total is now at 13, while the state is nearing 300 with 298 deaths as of Monday night, May 4. Of those who have died, 77.2 percent have been 65 or older.

There have now been 1,080 confirmed hospitalizations statewide since the first confirmed case back on March 13, which is an increase of 123 since last Thursday.

Mobile County still has the most number of confirmed cases with 1,222 to this point, making them the only county with more than 1,000 confirmed cases. Jefferson County currently sits at 992, while Montgomery County is at 438, Lee County is at 403 and Marshall County is at 355. Chambers County also now has more than 300 cases with 302.

In addition to that, Tallapoosa, Madison and Tuscaloosa all have more than 200 confirmed cases. Tallapoosa has 298, while Tuscaloosa and Madison both have 237 confirmed cases.

So far, 1,176 healthcare workers have contracted the virus, while 526 long-term care employees and 814 long-term care residents have tested positive.

So far, 418 patients have been in the ICU, while 248 have been put on ventilators since the virus started in the state on March 13.

New numbers show that 38.71 percent of confirmed cases are between the ages of 25 and 49, while 25.76 are between 50 and 64 and 25.3 are 65 or older. In addition to that, 57.88 percent of confirmed cases are female, 44.55 percent are white and 38.72 percent are black.

In confirmed deaths, 56 percent have been male, while 50.3 percent have been white and 44.3 percent black.

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