Coronavirus

Amy Henderson

ahenderson@cullmantimes.com

 A local healthcare provider in Cullman is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county, Cullman Regional announced Friday.

The healthcare provider is not experiencing any symptoms, and will be self-quarantined for 14 days. According to a statement from Cullman Regional, “All provider, staff and patient interaction has been analyzed and is considered low-risk per CDC guidelines. All of those who came in contact with the provider are being appropriately monitored per CDC guidelines. This provider has recently traveled out-of-state domestically; therefore, it is strongly believed that the provider did not contract COVID-19 locally.”

According to Lindsey Dossey, vice president of marketing for Cullman Regional, they were able to make that determination based on the incubation period for the disease. During the time the provider could have been infected, they were not in town, she said.

The hospital urges people who have questions about COVID-19 to call Cullman Regional’s COVID-19 information Line at 256-735-5530 or visit CullmanRegional.com.

In a video posted on social media, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said, “Most health officials had said it was simply a matter of time before a positive test occurred here.” 

He urged people to heed social distancing requirements, but to continue supporting local businesses. “Supporting small business is vital to survival during this time,” he said. “Tired of cooking? Order out. Need a gift? Call ahead and they will bring it to your car. Need groceries? Ask a neighbor if you can pick up anything for them. These small measures will go a long way; working together we will get through this crisis as a community.”

As of Friday afternoon, there were 106 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama. Fifty of those cases are in Jefferson County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Individuals can help slow the spread of the virus by washing hands often for 20 seconds or more, practicing social distancing, avoid touching your face, avoid people who are sick, staying home when you are sick and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.