Birmingham City Schools employee tests positive for COVID-19

Birmingham City Schools said Monday that a central office employee has tested positive for coronavirus.

The notification comes as at least 17 people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Public health officials in the county believe there is community transmission of the virus, meaning there could be many more cases in the next few days.

The number of cases in the county has grown exponentially since Friday when the first case was reported in Alabama. Experts believe there are many more cases that simply haven’t been confirmed because of lack of testing resources.

Essential employees were in place preparing for the extended school closure when they evacuated the Birmingham Board of Education Administration Building located at 2015 Park Place because of the test confirmation. The district has notified all employees.

The only BCS facilities open during the extended closure will be school campuses serving as meal service locations.

County officials Monday announced new measures to prevent further spread. The measures include banning gatherings of 25 or more, closing senior centers, banning visitors to nursing homes, and closing private schools until April 6.