Category: Coronavirus
1,841 Alabamians Confirmed With COVID-19
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.
A Walk Through Railroad Park
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.
A Salute to Americans Living Under COVID-19
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.
Families Turn to Foster Animals as Isolation Buddies During the Pandemic
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.
State Health Officer Talks Coronavirus Prep, Potential Surge. ‘We Really Need For People to Stay Home’
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
231 Hospitalized in Alabama with COVID-19, Death Toll at 31
The Alabama Department of Public Health reported Sunday that 231 people were hospitalized statewide with COVID-19 diagnoses.
Deaths in the state from the disease COVID-19 stood at 31, and authorities are investigating 14 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus.
In total, the state has had 1,676 confirmed cases of the virus. Jefferson County accounted for 397 cases, with four deaths from the disease and five more involving people who were diagnosed with it.
Read more.
212 People Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Alabama
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.
Getting Government Services During Pandemic Requires Patience, Persistence
Alabama residents who need to renew their driver’s license during the coronavirus shutdown will have to do it online.
Teenagers who have waited 16 or more years to get their first license will have to wait longer.
These are just two of the ways the growing pandemic is making it tougher for people to obtain government services. With state and local governments forced to weigh public health against public services, the scale sometimes tilts toward health. This is true for services ranging from automobile tag renewals to court trials to in-person access to public meetings.
Read more.
Alabama’s COVID-19 Death Toll Up to 26
The Alabama Department of Public Health this morning raised the number of deaths in the state from COVID-19 to 26, up by five. Authorities are investigating 15 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 climbed today to 1,543, growing by more than 50% since Wednesday morning. One week ago, the state had 604 confirmed cases and three deaths.
Read more.
Distance Learning Begins Monday. What’s The Plan?
