HUNTSVILLE, Ala — Health workers in the Valley have given thousands of tests, and hospital officials say they're preparing for the worst.
Madison County Commissioner chairman Dale Strong joined Huntsville leaders during today's briefing on the Coronavirus.
"The greatest increase of positive cases are occurring in Madison, Limestone, Jackson and Morgan. This is reason to be sure that people continue to sanitize and separate," says Strong.
Huntsville Hospital CEO David Spillers says about more than 3,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in North Alabama.
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"The number of people who have been tested positive is a small percentage out of the people who have been tested, and that's a good thing," says Spillers.
At this time he says the hospital has eliminated elected surgeries. The hospital also making room for a potential wave of infected patients.
"We probably have or could create 500 additional beds," added Spillers. He says beds are the least of their problems.
"Beds aren't the limiting factor. Supplies and staff are the limiting factor. And that's the other thing we're trying to work on. How do we staff all of these additional beds if we ever need them," says Spillers.
The Drive Thru Coronavirus testing clinic in Huntsville will not be open on Monday.
The clinic at John Hunt Park will be closed because of a lack of testing supplies.
If collection kit supplies are sufficient, the clinic may reopen Tuesday morning.
If you need to get tested Monday, Huntsville Hospital's Fever and Flu Clinic is open at 9 a.m.