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Pike County officials have not finalized plans for reopening county offices, including the courthouse, to the public.

“County Administrator McKenzie Wilson and I are going to meet with the department heads starting tomorrow to figure out a way to open the courthouse and other county offices,” Pike County Commission Chairman Robin Sullivan said Monday.

The concerns, Wilson said last week, is balancing the need to serve the public with efforts to keep both the public and the county employees safe from potential spread of COVID-19.

Monday was the first day of new, eased regulations designed to push towards re-opening Alabama. The restrictions allowed for the opening of restaurants and bars, beauty salons and barbershops, as well as gyms and exercise facilities, with social distancing guidelines in place. Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said last week City Hall, the public library would be reopening with some guidelines in place.

The reopening came as COVID-19 cases continued to increase in Alabama, with more than 10, 160 reported statewide and 99 reported in Pike County. More than 400 people have died statewide.

“We’re continuing to monitor the situation,” Pike County EMA Director Herb Reeves told commissioners on Monday. “We’ve seen a pretty good spike in the last week.”

Pike County saw a 13.8 percent increase in cases since Friday, when 87 were reported. Statewide, 9,375 confirmed cases were reported Friday. On May 4, a week ago, Pike County reported 78 cases and the state, 8.025.

While easing restrictions, Gov. Kay Ivey has encouraged people to remain cautious as they go about their daily activities.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin urged caution, saying “the cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in our state.”

“If you don’t have to go out, continue to stay home. If you do have to go out, please practice social distancing, remember to wash your hands and remember to wear a face covering,” Woodfin wrote in a message Sunday.

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.