MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The number of new coronavirus cases in Alabama jumped to nearly 200 Monday as health officials urged people to maintain social distancing and the governor extended the deadline for filing state income taxes until mid-summer.
Alabama on Monday had at least 197 confirmed cases of coronavirus, of which 86 were in Jefferson County. State Health Officer Scott Harris said at a news conference that the ages of those infected ranged from 2 to 97, and that about 6% to 7% of the cases had required the person to be hospitalized.
Harris said testing continues to be a concern in Alabama. He said the state now has 17 screening sites in addition to those set up by private labs.
“One of our continuing problems is locating specimen collection kits … These are being sought by every state in the country. As you know the states have been told we are on in terms of finding this equipment,” Harris said.
He cautioned people to remember that, “we do not need to test you if you do not have symptoms.” The state established a hotline, 1-800-270-7268 and an email address, covid19info@adph.state.al.us, for questions about testing availability and other issues related to the outbreak.