The number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama had risen to 6,539 late Monday night and deaths to 228. Overall, 888 people have been hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis since the first case was reported March 13, according to Alabama Department of Public Health data. Read more.
Alabama’s graduating high schoolers of 2019 had an overall lower performance on the ACT standardized test for the second year in a row, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. But not by much. Read more.
If Dr. Frank Franklin had the opportunity to tell Gov. Kay Ivey what she should do about loosening restrictions on businesses and other public places, his advice would be simple: Don’t, at least not quite yet. The retired epidemiologist and pediatrician, now a professor emeritus of public health at UAB, is not convinced that the spread of the COVID-19 virus is under control in Alabama or neighboring states — three of which are already relaxing restrictions on reopening businesses and public spaces — and doesn’t want to see the progress made so far reversed. Instead, Franklin is hoping that Ivey will announce on Tuesday that the state will stay the course for now but revisit the situation on a weekly basis, keeping transparency in the process at the forefront. Read more.
UPDATED — As Gov. Kay Ivey eases her COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, stores, beaches and medical procedures, the question that remains for some is - is it time to reopen Alabama?
Ivey, who announced a “Safer At Home” strategy that will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, has had advice from those who are primarily concerned about health outcomes of the coronavirus and those who consider economics – the loss of jobs, the shuttering of businesses – just as important, if not more.
Although the team has reached the decision to begin reopening – while leaving some businesses, including restaurants and athletic facilities – not all in the state agree that it's time to reopen. Read more.
Should Gov. Ivey Loosen COVID-19 Restrictions? Not Yet, Retired UAB Public Health Professor Says
WASHINGTON — All of Alabama members in the U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to approve a $484 billion package to help hospitals, small businesses, farms and other recipients cope with economic misfortune over the next few months of the coronavirus pandemic. Read More
The double whammy of pandemic and job loss has left Birmingham-area food banks scrambling to provide sustenance to the needy. Some food banks have closed, especially in rural counties. Others have extended the time between food giveaways. Compounding a drop in donated food is a lack of volunteers to help pack and deliver the food. This comes at a time when the need for food is increasing. The Salvation Army has reported four times as many people seeing food assistance. State officials also have seen a rapid increase in the number of applicants seeking food benefits. The Greater Birmingham Ministries usually gives three brown bags of groceries to about 60 families each week. Last week more than a hundred showed up seeking food. “We had to turn people away,” said Sarah Price, direct services coordinator at the ministries. “We referred them to other charities.” Read more.
Donations to the Community Food Bank can be made at www.feedingal.org, or checks cab be sent to 107 Walter Davis Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. Monetary and food donations can be made to the Greater Birmingham Ministries at www.gbm.org. The Salvation Army donations can be made at BirminghamSalvationArmy.org or by mail to the Salvation Army, PO
Alabama had 6,467 confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. Six more people were reported to have died from the disease Sunday, bringing the total to 219. Overall, 861 people have been hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis since the first case was reported March 13, more than a third of whom have been treated in ICUs, according to Alabama Department of Public Health data. Read more.
Mountain Brook Creamery shares encouraging words at its store in Mountain Brook Village.
Alabama had 6,213 confirmed cases of COVID-19 early Sunday, 187 cases more than the day before. Deaths in the state also rose by four, to 213. Another 71 people were hospitalized, bringing the total number of people hospitalized since the pandemic began to 840, according to Alabama Department of Public Health data. Read more.
