COVID-19 cases in county on the rise

35 new cases since Friday in Escambia, Ala.

In its bi-weekly COVID-19 update, the Escambia County (Ala.) Health Care Authority reported an increase of positive tests in the county for the coronavirus.

The report released Tuesday, shows the county has had 158 confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of 1,940 specimens collected and six confirmed deaths. The numbers released Friday showed 123 confirmed cases from 1,728 specimens collected and four confirmed deaths.

Tuesday's statistics from Atmore Community Hospital show 79 confirmed cases from 683 tests. There were 15 positive tests reported from D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton.

Statistics from the Alabama Department of Public Health also showed an upswing from Friday to Tuesday. Tuesday's numbers showed 30,031 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 831 confirmed deaths. The numbers released Friday showed 27,796 confirmed cases and 801 deaths.

Jason Daniel, director of public affairs and marketing for the health care authority said county numbers and statistics collected at the two hospitals may be different since confirmed cases are recorded by public health officials in the patient's county of residence.