MADISON – On Monday, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Madison County had only increased by 13 in a week’s time. Today, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) shows that cases have nearly increased by that much since Monday.

The ADPH is reporting at 7 a.m., May 14, that 259 people in the county have tested positive since reporting began in March. Limestone has only increased by 3 since Monday to 60 cases.

The rise in numbers is significant because health officials and area leaders said this is when they would expect to see a bump in cases due to retail businesses starting to open back up two weeks ago today.

There are still four deaths associated with COVID-19 in Madison County and none for Limestone.

There are a total of 10,700 cases of COVID-19 in Alabama, an increase of 811 since Monday.

There have been 57 more deaths statewide from COVID-19 since Monday, bringing the total to 450. The department also reports 1,331 total hospitalizations due to COVID-19 since March 13.