In the midst of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, there are Chilton County residents who may feel that they are showing the symptoms associated with the virus, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath.

According to the Center for Disease Control, those symptoms may appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus.

If residents feel they may be showing symptoms, the next step is to get tested.

The Alabama Department of Health recommended that people at higher risk for severe illness should go ahead and get tested even if no symptoms have shown.

The department lists people at high risk as anyone older than 64 years old and people with underlying health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease.

The CDC advises in this case to call your doctor and healthcare provider for medical advice.

The ADPH website states that healthcare providers in the state who want to test someone for COVID-19 have the option of contacting ADPH for testing through the state lab or contacting a commercial lab to conduct the testing procedure.

The ADPH opened up six COVID-19 testing sites. However, there are currently none in Chilton County.

According to the ADPH, the closest free sites for Chilton County residents are in Elmore and Jefferson Counties.

Certain locations in Jefferson County include the Church of the Highlands on Grants Mill Road and an urgent care facility at 500 Cahaba Circle.

Testing at the Church of the Highlands begins at 9 a.m., but the ADPH hotline stated that they advise people to get there early, as cars have tended to start lining up around 6:30 a.m.

For more information about testing and free site locations, call the Alabama COVID-19 24-hour hotline at 1-888-264-2256.