Alabama has logged 2,006 cases of COVID-19 and 32 confirmed deaths, according to Monday night updates from the Alabama Department of Public Health. Officials are investigating another 21 deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus, which could push the state’s death toll to 53. Read more.
Alabama has seen a record number of unemployment claims because of the coronavirus. The state Department of Labor is trying to keep up. Read more.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 1,841 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, with 231 people hospitalized. Confirmed deaths from the disease stood at 31, with health officials investigating another 14 deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. Read more.
Tom Gordon walked through a nearly empty Railroad Park. The usually bustling park, along with other parks in the city, is under threat of closure if people do not abide by rules set to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. Parkgoers are allowed to use the park for solitary exercise but cannot linger, sit or gather with others.
Roy Brook of Bessemer stood with the flag for two hours Friday morning at the eastern end of Railroad Park. Brook said he was expressing his solidarity with his fellow Alabamians and countrymen and expressing his optimism that the country will meet the challenge of the COVID-19 virus. Read more.
When Alyson Duncan returns home from the hospital where she works as a nurse, she is greeted by Daisy, her new 2-month-old boxer terrier mix. “Her howling is one of the funniest things,” said Duncan, who lives with her husband and their other dog. “We will cry laughing tears because the howling is just hysterical.” The Duncans are among those who chose to add new, temporary family members as they settled into their new daily routines during the coronavirus pandemic. Though Daisy is what’s considered an adoptable dog and wouldn’t usually be a foster candidate, she was one of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s many animals who were placed into temporary homes so the adoption center could be closed and repurposed as a pet pantry. The pet pantry, which opened April 2, and supplies food and supplies to residents in need because of the coronavirus shutdown. It rehomed more than 200 animals in its last days, and the animals that could not be put in a home were transferred to its animal clinic in Hoover. Read more.
Alabama Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris spoke with Alabama Daily News on Saturday about the state’s response to the coronavirus, its expected peak and the recent state stay-home order. Harris is an infectious disease specialist who now finds himself leading Alabama’s efforts to combat the most deadly pandemic in a century. We spoke at length about his work over the past several weeks, how the Department of Public Health is dealing with the unique challenges of COVID-19 and what led to the recent decision to order Alabamians to stay home except for essential needs. Read the Q&A
The Alabama Department of Public Health reported early Sunday morning that 212 people were hospitalized statewide with COVID-19 diagnoses. Deaths in the state from the disease COVID-19 stood at 26, and authorities are investigating 18 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. In total, the state has had 1,633 confirmed cases of the virus. Read more.
The buildings are closed, but Jefferson County Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin says the school district will be open for business Monday. “This is not going to be traditional school, but we remain steadfast in our mission,” Gonsoulin said in a video message. “Educating students will continue.” In response to the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Kay Ivey
In her third trimester, Veronica Wehby-Upchurch is having to adjust her maternity plans. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, what she thought the final weeks of her pregnancy and birthing plan would look like could be much different. “There's a lot that's unknown and it's scary to think about that and how it might affect you and a brand new baby,” Wehby-Upchurch, of Birmingham, said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it does not know if COVID-19 causes complications during pregnancy or how it will affect the baby’s health. Read more.
