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By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

Chilton County has lost its first resident to coronavirus, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard website.

The report comes just over a month after the first confirmed case of the disease in the county.

As of noon on April 27, there were 51 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chilton County, with 486 total people having been tested for coronavirus.

The Chilton County Health Department offers drive-up COVID-19 testing clinics on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon while testing supplies are available. Call ahead to make an appointment at 205-755-1287.

The Chilton County Health Department is located at 301 Health Center Drive in Clanton.

According to ADPH, “To be tested, individuals must be 10 years old or older and meet these criteria:

The patient is symptomatic with at a minimum (measured or subjective)

– Fever OR cough OR shortness of breath, AND

– Immunocompromised or have co-morbidities, or

– Age 65 years or older, or

– Healthcare worker, or

– Associated with a long-term healthcare facility, or

– Symptoms are moderate, severe or worsening.”

Testing is not recommended for people exhibiting no symptoms.

“If you have mild symptoms and do not fall into one of the above high-risk groups, it is recommended that you self-isolate at home and call 1-888-264-2256 if your symptoms worsen,” said the ADPH in a release. “Local leaders urge calm and patience during this trying time for all.”  

Statewide, there have been 219 deaths related to COVID-19. As of April 27, there are 6,467 confirmed cases and 73,747 people have been tested in Alabama.

Nationwide, there have been 52,459 deaths due to COVID-19. There are 928,619 confirmed cases of the virus.