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For Brundidge Mayor Isabel Boyd, “disturbing” is the word that best describes the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Pike County over the last 14 days.

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, Pike County had 340 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with two deaths. Of those cases, 131 or 62.6 percent were confirmed within the last 14 days.

“Look around,” Boyd said. “Just go in stores. We just are not complying with what we’ve been told is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. So, the numbers keep going up. It’s disturbing and it’s depressing.”

Statewide, 26,524 cases were reported on Tuesday, an increase of more than 630 from the day before. The state has added 7,986 cases in the last 14 days, with state officials cautioning that the increase in reported cases is likely to continue.

“It’s been an unfortunate series of days of record setting,” Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of UAB’s division of infectious diseases, said at a news conference Monday.

“In my opinion. I think we now have just widespread sustained community spread,” she said.

In Brundidge, Boyd said people need to stay at home as often as possible. And, when they do go out they need to practice personal safety.

“When we go inside stores or restaurants, any enclosed building, we need to wear a mask,” she said. “But, too many people are not doing that. We are told to keep a safe distance from others and stay out of crowds, but, are we doing that?”

Hopefully, Boyd said people are washing their hands often and wearing gloves when they pump gas and handle door knobs.

“But, too many people are running fancy free so the virus is spreading and a lot of people are getting sick,” Boyd said. “People are dying from COVID-19 and we have got to take it seriously or things will not change for the better.”

Boyd said young people are not taking COVID-19 and many people are turning off the news as if that will make the virus go away.

“We can’t wish COVID-19 away,” she said.

In Union Springs, city council officials on Monday passed an ordinance requiring masks to be worn in public. Anyone not wearing a mask could face a $25 fine.

Boyd did not say she would consider proposing mandates to require local citizens to adhere to the “stay safe” directives. However, she did say “something has to be done.”