HUNTSVILLE, Ala. —
As Governor Ivey doubles down on the state’s response to the virus with her state-wide masking mandate, Madison County leaders are taking a close look at our rising numbers locally-- and they're not the only ones. A federal task group is in town to collect some research.
Madison Mayor Paul Finley says (in reference to Govenor Ivey's state-wide masking mandate), “We will no longer be an island in Madison county. The other communities around us will now be masking. And we hope that only helps our numbers here in Madison County.”
Since the introduction of the Madison County Masking ordinance, officials have kept a close eye on any changes in the spread. They cite some ‘silver lining’ changes.
Dr. Pam Hudson of Crestwood Medical Center notes, “For the last two or three days we have seen a flattening of the number of hospitalized patients.”
But, those in the hospital are at serious risk.
Dr. Hudson says, there's a “...thirty percent rate of hospitalized patients needing to be in the ICU. And today, our ventilator use rate in patients in the ICU is actually closer to 60% rather than the typical 30%.” She adds, “Testing positive rates are still hovering around 14% to 15%. That’s slightly below state average but it is a significant increase for us.”
Madison County is a "very high risk" zone in the state. A group from the federal coronavirus task force has taken notice, and is here to collect information. Mayor Finley identifies the group and adds, “The COVID-19 Response Assistance Field Team. They came in, I think yesterday.”
C.R.A.F.T is here to do research on COVID-19 trends and needs in our area.
Jeff Birdwell, the Director of the Huntsville Madison Co. EMA says, “It’s a good and bad thing that they’re here... The good part is we get feedback and input.”
Birdwell adds, “I guess the bad part is the ‘why’ they’re here. They’re here because we have a significant increases in COVID-19 cases.”
Madison Mayor Paul Finley lists some of the concerns of our area that were shared with C.R.A.F.T during this morning’s meeting.
Mayor Finley says the following issues were discussed: “Testing and the reagents in the supplies that are needed.
“Remdecivir and the fact that it’s making a difference, but, sometimes we’re concerned about the levels that are out there.
“Support of nursing homes.”
“The federal guidelines for schools.”
Mayor Finley says “the need to improve communications of positive test results” was also brought up to the federal field team.