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Marengo County’s positive cases of COVID-19 continues to increase and now stands at 484, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The total represents an increase of 51 cases over the seven-day period from Tuesday, July 21 to Tuesday, July 28.

The number of deaths related to the virus also moved up to 13, an increase of two from last Tuesday’s update update from the ALDOPH.  The number of people tested has increased to 3,512.

Testing for the coronavirus continues to be available at Whitfield Regional Hospital.

The Rural Health Medical Program is offering testing at the Demopolis Health Center, 1502 Hwy. 80 East Unit A, on Wednesday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. The RHMP will also be at the Uniontown Health Services, 330 Old Hamburg Rd., on Monday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Tuesday’s updated COVID-19 data for surrounding counties includes: Sumter County has reported 348 cases and 15 deaths; Wilcox County has 385 cases and nine deaths; Greene County has 235 cases, 11 deaths; Hale County has 429 and 23 deaths; Clarke County, 440 cases and nine deaths; Dallas County is reporting 1,207 cases with 21 deaths; Choctaw County has 263 cases and 12 deaths; and Perry County is reporting 387 cases with three deaths.

Statewide the number of confirmed cases has increased by over 22,688 cases over the past week and now stands at 79,129 with an additional 1,986 probable cases, according to ALDOPH. The number of confirmed deaths in Alabama has reached 1,446 with another 45 listed as probable. The number of deaths has increased by 178 since Tuesday, July 21.

In the last 14 days, a total of 23,415 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed statewide with 173,440 tested. The total number of Alabamians who have been tested has reached 655,973.

The total number of Alabamians hospitalized as of Friday, July 24, at  3 p.m. is 9,694. Presumed recoveries stand at 32,510.

State and local officials encourage individuals and businesses to continue utilizing safety measures such as social distancing and facemasks to prevent spread.

There are now state and local mandates for masks to be worn in public places when interacting within 6 feet of people of another household.

A public place includes an indoor space open to the public; a vehicle operated by a transportation service; and an outdoor public space where 10 or more people are gathered.

There are some exceptions for the mask requirement, including where mask use is incompatible with the realities of life — for example, young children, people with medical conditions or disabilities, eating and drinking, and medical. There are also categories of exceptions for exercise, communicating with an audience, and for essential job functions.

The requirement allows all kinds of masks to be used — whether store-bought, homemade, or improvised from household items like scarves, bandanas, or t-shirts. The key is for the mask to cover nostrils and mouth.

The new mask requirement went into effect Thursday, July 16, and is is currently set to expire on July 31.

The City of Demopolis passed a mask ordinance that will expire at midnight on August 20.