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Huntsville officials react to Ivey mask extension, Huntsville Hospital preps for potential November spike

Madison County is making progress, but still has a long way to go. David Spillers says there is a risk we could see a spike in numbers in a few months...

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville city officials react to Governor Ivey’s announcement Wednesday afternoon to extend Alabama's "Safer at Home" order and masking mandate. Officials say Madison County is making progress, but we still have a long way to go. David Spillers says there is a risk we could see a spike in COVID-19 numbers in just a few months. 

WATCH: LIMESTONE COUNTY SCHOOLS CLARIFIES QUARANTINE MEASURES

Per the governor's extension of the "Safer at Home" order and masking mandate, facial coverings will be required in public places until November 8.

David Spillers, CEO of Huntsville Hospital, says during Wednesday's COVID-19 briefing, “Until there’s an effective vaccine and most people have access to it, I think one of the only effective tools we have is a mask."

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle comments, “If we have to wear a mask for a year so that our population is safe, so other people are safe and we don’t have more people dying from this pandemic-- that’s a very small price to pay..”

Per the governor's extension of the "Safer at Home" order and masking mandate, facial coverings will be required in public places until Nov. 8

Starting Oct. 2, nursing homes and other care facilities can allow each patient or resident to be accompanied by one caregiver or visitor at a time. 

David Spillers, says Governor Ivey’s decision to amend the nursing home visitation policy will not impact the hospital’s policy. He adds, “Well, it’s got to be difficult to have somebody in the nursing home and not be able to see them at all during the pandemic. So, I understand why the change was made… and then if there’s an outbreak in the nursing home, they’re going to have to close it down. You just can't allow visitors at a nursing home if there's an outbreak."

Tuesday, the state ABC board moved to rescind their previous alcohol restriction and allow alcohol sales past 11 pm once again.

Mayor Tommy Battle says, “In the future, we’re just going to have to make sure they act responsibly as we go into this next phase.” 

Spillers says, he’s concerned about what we could see in the next few months. David Spillers says during the briefing, “Many of these models predicting that in the November/ December time frame, we’re going to see another spike in cases” 

He adds, “As a part of that, we’re trying to open up a COVID unit in our Parkway facility in Morgan County…. We hope to recruit people and be able to bring that unit online if we need additional beds in the November time frame.” 

RELATED: Governor Kay Ivey extends current Safer at Home order, mask mandate through Nov. 8

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RELATED: Health officials concerned with COVID-19 hospitalization rate in Madison County

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