MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — COVID-19 cases are leveling out and hospitalizations are going down in Madison County. Right now, Alabama is at a high risk for COVID-19. Madison County is at a moderate risk.
In order to prevent a spike in cases, health officials say we must continue to wear our masks and social distance.
Dr. Karen Landers with the Alabama Department of Public Health, said, "We have to be able to continue to evaluate, to continue to test, and continue to adhere to what we have."
Halloween is bringing up concerns of a spike in cases. Dr. Landers recommends celebrating the holiday at home this year.
"I would tell my patients not to have their children going from door to door trick-or-treating, putting their hands down in a candy bucket or in a candy container and pulling out treats and putting those in a sack and then going to the next door. I just wouldn't do that," said Dr. Landers.
Huntsville City Schools will return to a full, five-day week of in person learning at the end of October. Although this brings up some concerns, leaders believe school systems are doing everything they can to keep the virus out of schools.
Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong said, "We've got to live life. I concur with sending our children back to school. There are dangers in things you do but we've got to live life."
Local leaders still don't know when a COVID-19 vaccine will be rolled out, but they are working on a plan for how exactly to distribute one.
"It's more likely to be provided to persons that are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19," said Dr. Landers. "We do expect that health care providers, first responders and perhaps other groups will be identified by CDC as the first groups to take a COVID-19 vaccine."
Health leaders believe a vaccine will not be widely available until at least the middle of 2021, but they say like most things during this pandemic, that can change.
To watch the full Huntsville Madison County COVID-19 briefing, click here.
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