Health Dept. Warns Coronavirus Cases Skyrocketing

WAAY 31's Casey Albritton was live at Huntsville City Hall with a warning from the health department.

Health department.

Here at city hall today, doctor karen landers said community gatherings, such as memorial day parties are one reason for the increase... and the sudden spike is concerning.

"we still have a lot of covid-19 in alabama.

It's with us.

It's going to be with is."

Doctor karen landers with the department of public health knows the fight against the coroanvirus is far from over.

"people are becoming weary.

I think everyone is becoming weary, but this is not the time to give up."

Landers believes the jump is due to more social gatherings-- and one-on-one interactions.

"there are cases in persons who are either in a home or intimate partner contact or close work- related contact."

In tennessee, nursing homes plan to start allowing visitors again on monday-- but landers said the recent spike is keeping alabama from doing the same.

"we know that while your parents and grandparents are still living, you want to be able to do that, but given the numbers in alabama, it's just not time and i think it will be a while before we can allow that."

Landers says as the state reopens, you need to be careful.

"i believe that that personal responsibility element and that personal mission that we have to protect communities, ourselves, our families needs to be on the forefront of our minds."

The department of public health says staying at home is the safest option--and if you do go out, you should wear a mask and social distance.

Live in huntsville, casey albritton, waay 31