Coronavirus

Number of New COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Drops on Saturday

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama grew by 997 on Saturday, down significantly from the previous day but still  the fifth-highest 24-hour total of the pandemic. After reporting a record 1,758 new cases on Friday, the Alabama Department of Public Health's covid dashboard showed a big drop on Saturday. The overall total since the pandemic began stood at 42,359, plus 503 cases listed as probably resulting from the disease but not yet confirmed. The dashboard listed one new death, in Bullock County, to bring the overall total to 984, plus 23 probable ones. That was down from 22 deaths in Friday's report. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama Records Its Biggest Rise in COVID-19 Cases with 1,758 Jump

Led by the Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile areas, Alabama experienced its worst day yet in the spread of COVID-19, the state Department of Public Health reported Friday. The agency's COVID dashboard showed 1,758 new confirmed cases of the disease in its 24-hour report. That brought the total to 41,362 since the pandemic began in March. Another 507 cases were listed as probably from the virus, but not yet confirmed. The number of deaths rose by 22 for a total of 983, plus 24 that are probably from the disease but still under study. The daily figures reflected a dramatic increase in the growth of COVID-19. Statistics this week showed an average daily increase of 974 cases for the seven-day period thorugh Wednesday and an average increase of 823 a day for the 14-day period. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

This Fourth of July Will Be Different – Except for the Heat

It’s the Fourth of July and you just ate a red pepper to cool down from the heat. Well, maybe there are better ways to cool down, but without a doubt it’s going to be hot on the Fourth. This year’s holiday will differ from previous years, with less of the usual trappings of parades, fireworks displays, concerts and picnics because of the pandemic, but as usual, you can count on scorching heat. Read more.

by Hank Black

COVID-19 Cases Soar by 1,162 in Alabama During 24-hour Period

Alabama recorded one of its biggest increases yet in cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, with 1,162 confirmed new cases raising the state's total to 39,604. There were 14 deaths listed on the Alabama Department of Public Health's daily dashboard, pushing the total to 961 since the pandemic began in mid-March. The agency said another 507 cases and 24 deaths probably are from the disease, but are still under review. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

COVID-19 New-Case Numbers Show Sharp Uptrends; Jefferson County Leads State Total Cases List

The numbers of new cases of COVID-19 infections are rising sharply across Alabama — and in Jefferson County in particular. The BirminghamWatch weekly analysis of data reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health shows that the 7-day moving average of new cases reported daily is increasing at an alarming rate. As of Wednesday’s update by ADPH, the average has increased by 44% since the previous week and 64% over eight days. The current 7-day average stood at 974 new daily cases on Wednesday. The longer-term 14-day moving average reached a record high, at 823.43 cases per day. That’s a 20% hike from June 23 but nearly double the 440 average on June 1 and more than four times the reading on May 1, of 194.43. Read more.

by Robert Carter

COVID-19 Toll in Alabama Accelerates in Wednesday Report

The COVID-19 toll in Alabama continued to accelerate Wednesday, growing by 906 confirmed cases and 21 deaths, the state Department of Public Health's 24-hour update showed. There had been 854 new cases on Tuesday. Jefferson County, the state's most populous, continued to lead the way with 177 new cases, bringing its total to 4,387, and two deaths for a total of 142 since the state began counting COVID-19 results on March 13. Statewide, there have been 38,442 confirmed cases, plus 509 listed as probably from the disease but not yet confirmed. The death toll stands at 947, with another 24 probably from the virus. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Ivey Extends COVID-19 Health Order Through July

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extended a public health order Tuesday, which allows businesses, entertainment venues and beaches to operate provided they follow social distancing, sanitation and other guidelines, until July 31st. The order would have expired Friday and comes as new coronavirus cases have risen sharply through June. “While we are not overwhelmed yet, we should not think that because our summer feels more normal than our spring that we are back to normal,” Ivey said at a press conference Tuesday morning. “The fact is, folks, we are still in the thick of this virus, disease and it is deadly.” Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

State Reports 854 New COVID-19 Cases, 21 Deaths

Alabama recorded 854 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths in the most recent 24-hour period, the state Department of Public Health reported Tuesday morning. There have been 37,536 cases and 926 deaths attributed to the disease since the pandemic began in March, the department's COVID Dashboard showed. Another 493 cases and 24 deaths were listed as probable, meaning they are believed to have been from the disease but have not been confirmed. The state has averaged 980 new cases a day over the past week and 787 cases a day for the past 14 days. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

College Students to Be Tested for Coronavirus Using Federal Allotment

Colleges and universities in Alabama and some underserved regions of the state will benefit from $30 million of the state’s federal allocation from the Cares Act, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Number of COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Climbs, Death Toll Reaches 905

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in Alabama continues to climb, reaching 36,682 in the Alabama Department of Public Health's daily report Monday. The death toll from the disease stood at 905 since the pandemic began in March. The Health Department did not have complete results available for its daily report on Sunday, and did not have figures on how many new cases there were during the 24-hour period through Monday. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch