EMA director: Etowah County's positive test rate first in state, third in US last week

Tuesday's meeting of the Gadsden City Council revealed some worrying information about the amount of coronavirus cases in Etowah County.

According to Gadsden-Etowah County Emergency Management Agency Director Deborah Gaither, Etowah County's positivity rate is frighteningly high.

"We are still a hot spot (for the coronavirus)," Gaither said. "(There have been) 249 positive cases in the last seven days. We have added one additional death, I hate to say. We are in the mid-50s (percent) on our positivity rate. That was, last week, highest in the state and third highest in the nation. That is not a good statistic."

More: Gadsden Fire Department, local hospitals feeling affect of COVID-19 increase

Gaither said she had not received Tuesday's updated statistics as of the meeting. The Alabama Department of Public Health's COVID-19 dashboard reported technical difficulties Tuesday and only showed numbers from the previous day: a positive test rate of 57.5% for Etowah County, and a total case number that just a few weeks into 2022 already nearly is 46% of the total for 2021.

Despite the dire numbers, Gaither said she feels there is good news coming.

"Our surge is expected to begin its downfall mid-February," she explained, "so at least for these next few weeks, if you're in a group of 10 or more, social distance, wear a mask, if you're not vaccinated, get vaccinated and see if we can end the surge sooner than that."

The rise in cases of the virus continues to affect local hospitals.

"Both of our hospitals are down in staffing due to COVID," Gaither said. "I know they've changed the CDC guidelines for returning to work sooner, so that gets some of the staff back in there. That doesn't mean they're 100 percent."

More: GCDA appointments made, questions addressed by Gadsden Council

Gaither said anyone seeking a COVID test can find them at local stores; if you are unable to find one, they can be acquired for free at www.covidtests.gov. Up to four tests per household can be received via the website.

As for anyone seeking to be tested or vaccinated outside the home, Gaither stressed that Quality of Life and the Etowah County Health Department are the places to go.

"Do not use our hospitals as a testing site," she said. "Do not go if you just have minimal symptoms, such as feeling like you have a cold or a small case of the flu. Our emergency rooms are for life safety and we want to make sure those that need help the most get it more rapidly."

Gadsden Fire Marshal Jason Talton provided an update on how the Gadsden Fire Department has been affected by the coronavirus surge.

"Throughout this last round of COVID, within our department itself, we've had 27 positive cases with employees," he said. "Currently, as of this morning, we have two that are out. We've seen the uptick; we're starting to see a downtick, we hope that trend continues."

Gaither also said there are nighttime-only warming shelters available at the Salvation Army and Freedom Church during the current cold snap; daytime centers remain open at Gadsden Public Library branch and the Catholic Center of Concern day center.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Council meeting reveals virus cases reach scary rate in Etowah County