We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about coronavirus in the Chattahoochee Valley. Check back for updates.

Confirmed case in Lee County, Alabama

The Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed the first case of new coronavirus in Lee County, Alabama.

The update, as of 7:20 p.m. EST Sunday, confirms one case of the virus in Lee County. There are 22 confirmed cases in Alabama as of Sunday night. There have been no confirmed deaths in Alabama.

The individual is an employee at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama. A statement from the hospital described the individual’s symptoms as “mild.”

The employee had not traveled outside of Lee County prior to the symptoms, making this what is considered a “community transmission” of the virus, according to the hospital.

The employee made a doctor’s appointment once they detected symptoms. At the appointment, a COVID-19 specimen was collected and submitted for testing. The employee is currently quarantined at home.

“Since learning of this situation Sunday night, we have cancelled most elective procedures and are taking all extra precautions in an effort to stop this spread,” a release from the hospital read. “In addition, we have implemented a plan to perform deep cleaning in all patient care areas. Employees are actively practicing meticulous infection control and the use of personal protective equipment. We are closely monitoring every patient, visitor and employee; and have taken every precaution to minimize the spread of COVID-19.”

At this time, it’s unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath appearing anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure, according to the ADPH.

If you recently traveled to one of these affected geographic areas within the last 14 days, visit COVID-19 Resources for Travelers. If a person has questions about being tested for COVID-19, with or without any travel history, visit COVID-19 Testing.

Here’s a county by county list of confirmed cases in Alabama.

• Baldwin: 1
• Elmore: 1
• Lee: 1
• Jefferson: 12
• Limestone: 1
• Montgomery: 1
• Shelby: 2
• Tuscaloosa: 3

Confirmed case in Troup County, Georgia

The Georgia Department of Public Health’s District 4 reported Sunday night that Troup County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The post does not identify the sex or age of the person.

District 4 covers Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties.

The Troup County case was not included in the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Sunday daily COVID-19 updates. Those updates publish each day at noon.

As of noon March 16, Georgia had 121 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Piedmont Healthcare implementing higher level of safety restrictions for visitors

Piedmont Healthcare is implementing Level III visitor restrictions at all 11 hospitals, which means that no more than two visitors will be allowed per patient and no children ages 13 and under (except for those who are coming in for healthcare services). In addition, all visitors will undergo health screenings.

All hospital visitor entrances will be closed except for designated areas. To be allowed entry, all visitors must pass a health screening, which includes the following criteria:

• Visitors with fever, cough, sore throat or flu-like symptoms will not be admitted.
• Visitors displaying symptoms of other acute respiratory illness, as well as those who have traveled recently outside the United States, will not be admitted.
• Visitors who have had close contact with individuals who are known to be infected or suspected of being infected will not be admitted.

Visitors who are admitted will wear an arm band or sticker to signify they have been safely screened. People with increased risk of chronic or existing conditions are advised not to visit. Piedmont will monitor waiting rooms and other common areas for excess congregation.

Recorder’s Court closed to public

Columbus Recorder’s Court will be closed to the general public beginning Tuesday, March 17 through May 1.

Recorder’s Court will be continuing all traffic and environmental court sessions currently scheduled during this time period. These court dates will be rescheduled at a minimum of 30 days from the original court date. The new court dates will be made available via mailed notices, the Recorder’s Court website and all social media outlets.

Citizens can provide Recorder’s Court with an email address in order to receive their notices electronically. This can be done by emailing your full name, mailing address, contact number, citation number and preferred email address to recorderscourt@columbusga.org. This information can also be given via telephone at (706) 653-4256.

Recorder’s Court will continue to conduct hearing on arrest cases throughout this time period. To make a citation payment, visit crcpay.com.

RiverCenter postpones ‘Escape to Margaritaville,’ all other events

RiverCenter announced Monday afternoon that the performance of “Escape to Margaritaville,” originally scheduled for March 19, has been postponed.

A new date is still to be determined.

Tickets for the March 19 performance will be honored for the new date, so no action is required for current ticket holders.

RiverCenter will also suspend all public and private events, effective immediately, through at least April 6.

In addition to “Escape to Margaritaville,” performances during the suspension include the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on April 2.

All tickets issued for shows will be honored for rescheduled performances. The box office will be in touch with all ticket holders as soon new dates are confirmed and will discuss options with patrons at that time.

Information on rescheduled performance dates and COVID-19 updates will be posted to RiverCenter’s Facebook page and website, rivercenter.org.

Springer Opera House season canceled

In light of the CDC’s direction for all organizations in the U.S. to cancel or postpone events with 50 or more attendees, the Springer Opera House has made the decision to cancel all remaining performances and programs in the current season, through May 2020.

The cancelations include:

• “Singin’ in the Rain”
• “Morningside”
• “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”
• “Matilda the Musical”
• “Spring Break Academy”
• “No Shame Theatre”

Those who have purchased tickets for the remaining performances are urged by the Springer to allow it to convert the value of the purchased tickets into tax-deductible charitable contribution, or allow the Springer to issue gift certificates for future productions in the 2020-2021 season. That season begins July 2020.

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 11:16 AM.