Alabama corrections officials recently reported the first inmate death related to COVID-19. With several prisoners and staff members testing positive for the virus, those inside Alabama prisons worry this is just the tip of the iceberg. Read more.
MONTGOMERY — Less than three months ago, medical marijuana, education reform and a state lottery were expected to be headlining issues of 2020 legislative session. Projections for increased tax revenue meant larger General Fund and education budgets for 2021 and raises for state employees and teachers were anticipated. But when the new coronavirus interrupted daily life, it also upended the state’s economy and this year's regular legislative session. Read more.
Alabama reported 5,832 confirmed cases of COVID-19 early Friday morning, an increase of 155 from the day before, and deaths remained stable at 197. Read more.
“Steve, we hear you. Can you hear us?” As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the state, the Jefferson County Commission continues to hold its meetings via videoconference, shown live on Facebook. Sometimes it takes a little while for everyone to get online, as when Commission President Jimmie Stephens was trying to get through to Commissioner Steve Ammons before the meeting began Thursday morning. But they do eventually get together, as they did today for a meeting dominated by the pandemic and its effects on the county. The agenda of regular business filled just a handful of pages thanks to the shutdown of nearly all government functions. The only item of new business was approval to use the former Salvation Army facility in the northern part of downtown Birmingham as a place for homeless people who test positive for COVID-19 to stay. The facility would be used on an as-needed basis. Read more.
Concerns about the coronavirus will keep lawmakers out of the State House another week, their planned resumption of the legislative session now May 4, as reported first by Inside Alabama Politics. The session has been on hold since mid-March and lawmakers had hoped to be back next Tuesday. Read more.
Cases of COVID-19 have been reported in more than 70 Alabama nursing homes, including a veterans home, and officials say they expect the numbers to increase. Seventy-three nursing homes in 39 counties have reported at least one COVID-19 positive resident or employee, Alabama Nursing Home Association spokesman John Matson said on Wednesday. Read more.
The number of reported deaths in Alabama attributed to the COVID-19 virus has almost doubled in the past nine days, but that’s a slight improvement over numbers from earlier in April.
The BirminghamWatch weekly analysis of data from the Alabama Department of Health’s daily reports shows that the total reported deaths surpassed 200 for the first time Wednesday. The total of 201 was almost twice what was reported nine days prior, when 102 deaths were reported on April 13. That number was double the 50 deaths reported April 7, seven days beforehand, so the rate of doubling is slowing down. Read more.
Several members of Alabama's congressional delegation sent recommendations to Gov. Kay Ivey this week on how to gradually reopen the state's economy, including specific concerns in their districts. Each representative’s report consisted of input from various business owners, state lawmakers, medical health officials and community leaders. Ivey requested the input last week. Read more.
The statewide closure of schools has prompted educators to find ways to add to their teaching capabilities during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of that effort, two companies worked in partnership last month to create a digital resource portal for Alabama educators, parents and students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Publishers’ Warehouse, in partnership with EBSCO Information Services, created EBSCOed to pull together online and published resources purchased by the state. Read more.
Monday was the day that medical forecasters had said the number of coronavirus cases in Alabama would peak. Whether it did peak is still to be seen, but State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said Tuesday, “dawn may be breaking soon.” Read more.
