From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
OPELIKA — East Alabama Medical Center is reporting that five people who tested positive for coronavirus have died since Friday. As of Saturday at 6:45 p.m., none of the deaths had been reported on the Alabama Department of Public Health website which currently shows three deaths statewide.
According to EAMC, three of the patients were from Chambers County and two from Lee County. The hospital also made a plea to churches to abide by state orders to keep gatherings below 25 people.
“As of 5 p.m., this total is not yet reflected on the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) website because hospital officials and ADPH are working through the process for official state determination before adding them to the COVID-19 death count.,” a statement from EAMC said. “However, EAMC felt it was important to share at this time so that citizens in this area understand the gravity of this virus.”
EAMC has a total of 19 confirmed cases hospitalized and reported that five previously confirmed and hospitalized cases had been discharged. Additionally, 22 patients are hospitalized and awaiting test results. Fourteen patients who were suspected of having COVID-19 tested negative.
“Our hospital family expresses its collective condolences to the families of these five patients,” stated Laura Grill, EAMC President and CEO. “As everyone knows, this virus has taken a toll on our nation and world, and our community is not exempt from that. Our hearts and prayers are with these families at this very difficult time.”
Grill said that the ICU staff, respiratory therapists and physicians who worked most closely with these patients are especially struggling.
“We ask that the community lift them up today just as they have been lifting up our whole organization the past two weeks,” Grill said.
EAMC also provided the following COVID-19 testing statistics;
1033 – the # of COVID-19 tests submitted by EAMC
751 – the # of COVID-19 tests that were NEGATIVE
209 – the # of COVID-19 tests that are pending results
22 – the approximate percentage of tests submitted by EAMC of all tests in Alabama
8.9 – the percentage of EAMC test kits that have tested positive