Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As Pike County record it’s 100^th confirmed case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, officials continue to urge social distancing, good hygiene and responsible behaviors.

“As we begin to see the economy opening back up, it’s more important than ever to be safe,” said Troy Mayor Jason Reeves. ”We need to social distance, use proper hygiene and protect ourselves and our health.”

Monday marked the first day of the reopening of restaurants to in-person dining, as well as the opening of beauty salons and barber shops, nail salons, gyms, fitness centers and city hall and offices.

Alabama’s average daily count of new cases of COVID-19 has been on an uptick since the state began loosening guidelines and allowing more businesses and other locations to open. More than 10,400 cases and at least 435 deaths from the disease have been confirmed statewide.

While the loosening of guidelines and restrictions has been welcomed by many in the business and retail sector, officials like Reeves are worried that the public make become complacent in practicing the safe distancing and hygiene measures in place since late March.

“You have to work harder now than any time before,” he said.

That sentiment was echoed by Robert Jones, District 1 councilman. “We’re not medical doctors, but we can do our part to control this virus simply by doing what’s right,” said Jones, who wore a mask and gloves to the city council meeting on Tuesday.

While Troy reopened to the public on Monday, the Pike County Commission expects to make a recommendation today or Thursday regarding the reopening of the courthouse and other county agencies.

Some city facilities – such as the Colley Senior Complex  and the nutrition center – remain closed to the public, although the nutrition center is working to provide curbside meal pickup for patrons.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia, and death.