A U.S. Postal worker in Montgomery has tested positive for coronavirus, but there's likely no risk to the public, according to the agency.

Debra J. Fetterly, a USPS Spokesperson, said the employee works at the Processing and Distribution Center in Montgomery. The employee would not have had any contact with the public while completing his or her duties as a postal worker, she said.

"This has been confirmed by the Alabama Health Department and we will follow the guidance they provide," Fetterly said in an email. "We believe the risk is low for employees who work at the Montgomery, Alabama, Processing and Distribution Center, but we will keep our employees apprised as new information and guidance becomes available."

Fetterly said because of the Rehabilitation Act and the Privacy Act, she could not release the employee's name, whether it was a man or a woman, or the person's medical condition.

The USPS is following recommended guidance and strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fetterly said.

"In addition, both the CDC and the World Health Organization as well as the U.S. Surgeon General have indicated that there is currently no evidence that coronavirus can spread through the mail and packages," Fetterly wrote.

Since the first coronavirus case was identified in Montgomery County on March 13, the number of cases has exploded to 1,060 across Alabama in less than three weeks.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, there are also 26 reported deaths while the state agency has confirmed 17 of them were directly related to the virus.

Confirmed deaths by county as of Wednesday morning:

Chambers (4)

Lauderdale (1)

Jackson (1)

Jefferson (1)

Lee (2)

Madison (1)

Mobile (2)

Montgomery (1)

Shelby (2)

Tallapoosa (1)

Washington (1)

Only eight counties remain without a single reported case of coronavirus.

The same day the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Montgomery County, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency and suspended public schools. Since that announcement, schools have been closed for the remainder of the semester.

The Alabama Department of Public Health announced all "non-essential" businesses would be closed while Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed put an indefinite curfew in place from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Kirsten Fiscus at 334-318-1798 or KFiscus@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KDFiscus