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A Thursday update from East Alabama Medical Center made note that the number of COVID-19 patient hospitalizations has decreased for seven straight days. Of note, EAMC-Lanier currently has no positive or pending cases of COVID-19.

The press release cautioned the community that as people become more mobile and active, the chances of transmission improve greatly, urging the public to continue to practice good hand hygiene and social distancing, wear a mask in public settings or when around people other than their household family members, and disinfect high-touch surface areas such as door handles, countertops, computer mouse and keyboard, faucet handles, microwave and oven buttons, etc.  In public, use hand sanitizer after touching grocery carts, doors, merchandise, money, etc.

According to the press release, EAMC clinics, physician offices and departments have resumed regular hours and are treating patients while adhering to Governor Ivey’s orders.

528-SICK has also experienced a decrease in calls which has resulted in EAMC scaling back its hours. The new hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“For the time being, the call center will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays,” the press release said.

Nursing homes across the nation have been hit hard and the CDC has released new recommendations for residents in nursing homes to wear masks when receiving care or outside their rooms. Both Oak Park and EAMC Lanier Nursing Home need cloth or earloop masks, if anyone would like to donate masks, please deliver them to the main lobby entrance at EAMC and they will be distributed accordingly. The goal is to provide a mask to all of the residents, approximately 200 combined for both nursing homes.