Coronavirus

Schools Faced Social Distancing Hurdles in Meal Prep and Distribution

Preparing thousands of school meals for low-income children while school has been out due to coronavirus hasn’t been easy. Distributing those meals has been another challenge unto itself. That’s why some area school systems have had an on-again off-again relationship with providing meals to children since schools closed statewide about a month ago. Tens of thousands of low-income children in Birmingham and Jefferson County depend on free or reduced-price school meals. This week marks the first full week that both systems will outsource their feeding programs to a local nonprofit. But with the chaos of coronavirus, things got off to a rocky start. Read more.

by Gigi Douban, WBHM

As COVID-19 Projections Decline, Some Ask for Easing of Restrictions

While state leaders are making plans for re-opening businesses shuttered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some would like to see at least a few restrictions eased prior to the planned April 30 timeline. Public health orders in March and April told Alabamians to stay home unless for specific reasons, closed many businesses and put occupancy limits on others, including retailers. While grocery stores can remain open, some smaller retailers had to close. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Life in a Takeout World

Ella Mae Irby, a fixture at Bogue's Restaurant in Birmingham, talks about the effect COVID-19 has had on her and the restaurant.

by Tom Gordon

Underlying Health Conditions + COVID-19 = Higher Risk of Death

More than half of Alabamians who have been confirmed as dying from COVID-19 also have had cardiovascular disease. Heart disease was the most common underlying health condition among those who have died from the disease, according to data the Alabama Department of Public Health released late Friday. Of the 60 people who were confirmed to have died from COVID-19, 31 also had heart disease. Diabetes was the second most common underlying health condition, with 24 deaths, followed by renal disease, 13, and lung disease, 12. Twenty-six of those who have died from COVID-19 had more than one underlying health condition. But 13 of those who are confirmed as having died from coronavirus had no underlying conditions at all, according to the ADPH data. Read more.

by Virginia Martin

Weather Safety Is Higher Priority Than Social Distancing, Health Officials Say

With severe weather in the forecast for much of Alabama this weekend, what’s more important: Taking shelter in the event of a tornado warning, or social distancing to fight spread of the coronavirus? The top priority should be protecting yourself and your family from a tornado, the state Department of Public Health said in a statement issued Saturday. The agency urged people to make plans in advance of severe weather. The National Weather Service has issued statements warning of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across central and north Alabama from Sunday afternoon until early Monday. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

COVID-19 Cases in Alabama at 3,611, 95 Deaths

The number of cases in Alabama from the novel coronavirus rose to 3,611 Monday, with 95 reported deaths, 61 of those confirmed through follow-up tests, according to the state Department of Public Health. Since March 13, 457 people have been hospitalized with the disease. Statewide, 20,605 people have been tested for the coronavirus. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Community Foundation Announces First Grants From Its $1 Million COVID-19 Relief Fund

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham on Friday announced the first round of grants through its COVID-19 Relief Fund and new grants through its Catalyst Fund. The foundation has committed to make more than $1 million in grants through the Relief Fund to nonprofit groups so they can address the immediate and basic needs of economically vulnerable populations in the five-county Birmingham area affected by COVID-19. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Lyric Theatre’s Message to Birmingham

Lyric Theatre installed a message on its marquee encouraging people who have been in virtual lockdown because of the coronaviruus.

by Tom Gordon

Alabama Unemployment Rate on the Rise

More than 77,500 Alabamians filed initial unemployment claims last week, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. Of the 77,515 total claims, 71,374 were related to the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate went from 2.7% in February to 3.5% in March, according to information released by the Labor Department today. But the department warned that the new number doesn’t capture most of the damage done by the coronavirus. That information will be reflected in the April rate released next month. Read more. ">

by Will Whatley, Alabama Daily News

COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Rises to 2,921

Alabama has 79 reported deaths of people who tested positive for COVID-19, the state Department of Public Health, reported late Thursday. Of those, 58 have been officially attributed to the disease, with the remainder under investigation. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch