Government

Alabama COVID-19 Numbers: 935 Confirmed Cases, 6 Deaths

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose by more than 100 to 935 today, the Alabama Public Health Department reported.  Six deaths from the virus have been confirmed by state health officials. The coronavirus has now been reported in 59 of the state's 67 counties. While the official death count stood at six, more deaths have been reported by hospitals; the state has a process to verify the virus was to blame before including deaths in the official numbers. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

No Need to Worry About Drinking Water During the COVID-19 Crisis, ADEM Director Says

Public drinking water is safe, and one thing Alabama residents don’t need to worry about, as the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the state, the director of the Alabama Department of Environment said. “With so many things Alabamians have to worry about – their jobs, social distancing, the welfare of loved ones, gathering food and other necessities -- the safety of their drinking water shouldn’t be one of them,” ADEM Director Lance LeFleur said. “The water they get from their tap, whether it’s from a large municipal system or a small, rural utility, is 100 percent safe due to the proven safety requirements they are required to follow and that ADEM enforces. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Ordered to Stay at Home or Free to Wander? It Depends on Where you Live.

While a few municipalities — Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, in particular — have felt the need to institute stay-at-home orders with the force of law to slow the rate of coronavirus infections, most cities have taken a less restrictive approach. Some are suggesting that residents stay home. Others are saying only that they’re following the lead of the state and Jefferson County authorities. All of Alabama fell under an order closing non-essential businesses as of 5 p.m. Saturday. The Jefferson County Department of Health was the first entity to start strongly recommending people curtail their activities and almost two weeks ago issued an order closing all non-essential businesses and services, an order that was lifted when the statewide order took effect. But whether you’re required to abide by more restrictive measures depends on where you live. Read more.

by Nick Patterson

Falling Tax Revenue Looms for State, Counties, Cities

Late April will bring financial pain for state and local governments as businesses in Alabama begin submitting lower taxes because of the coronavirus. With most restaurants, hotels and retail businesses either shut down or seeing little customer traffic, government officials expect a sharp decrease April 20 when they receive March sales and lodging taxes. The notable exceptions are sales taxes from grocery stores and online merchants. The situation has become so dire that the Alabama Department of Revenue is offering relief to hotels that are unable to make timely payments on their February, March and April lodging taxes. The department will waive late fees through June 1. The state is giving similar help for sales taxes on a case-by-case basis for merchants whose sales are affected by the virus. Read more.

by Scott Morris

Alabama House Members Voted for $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill, Even Though They Didn’t Like All of It

Voterama in Congress WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives approved a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill during the legislative week ending March 27. Congress debated no other substantive measures during the week. Alabama’s House of Representatives members supported the bill, although not always happily.

by Voterama in Congress

Three Deaths, 604 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Alabama

Three people have died of COVID-19 in Alabama, the Alabama Public Health Department reported today as the number of confirmed cases of the disease rose to 604 in 52 of the state’s 67 counties. All three of the deaths were in the Tennessee Valley in north Alabama — one each in Jackson, Lauderdale and Madison counties. The Birmingham area continued to be the hot spot, with 179 cases in Jefferson County and 67 in Shelby County, according to the Health Department. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

No Party, No Disco, No Fooling Around. State Closes All but Essential Businesses and Services.

Gov. Kay Ivey today announced intensified efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak in Alabama, with the state health officer prohibiting all non-work gatherings of 10 or more or of any size where people can’t stay 6 feet apart. The new order goes into effect starting at 5 p.m. Saturday and is expected to remain in effect until 5 p.m. April 17. The new order is from the state health officer and follows the lead of other authorities that have mandated a wide range of businesses and activities deemed non-essential most close or not operate. In announcing the order today, Ivey said: “Rather than shutting the entire state down, I propose a different solution. Today, I join Dr. (Scott) Harris in announcing a specific list of non-essential businesses that will close until April 17. If you can stay home, you are safer at home.” Read more.

by Nick Patterson

3 Deaths, 604 Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Alabama

Three people have died of COVID-19 in Alabama, the Alabama Public Health Department reported today as the number of confirmed cases of the disease rose to 604 in 52 of the state’s 67 counties. All three of the deaths were in the Tennessee Valley in north Alabama — one each in Jackson, Lauderdale and Madison counties. The Birmingham area continued to be the hot spot, with 179 cases in Jefferson County and 67 in Shelby County, according to the Health Department. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Speaker: No Date Certain for Resuming Session; Senate Talks April 28

UPDATED: MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature is on hold for now, and it’s unclear when legislators will return to Montgomery. The regular session ends May 18, and House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said he’s not sure whether the House could reconvene before that, making a special session likely. On the Senate side, leaders are talking about returning to the State House on April 28. Budgets and other important legislation had not been passed when legislators left Montgomery to combat the spread of COVID-19. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Number of Alabama COVID-19 Cases Rises to 466, Spread Across 48 Counties

There have been 466 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama, the state Department of Public Health reports today. The disease has been reported in 48 on Alabama's 67 counties, led by Jefferson County with 142 cases, Shelby Count with 50 and Lee County with 45. One death from the disease has been reported, that of a Jackson County resident. The person's name and other information about the case have not been disclosed, except for the fact that the patient was a part-time employee at the county courthouse in Scottsboro. a href=" https://birminghamwatch.org/number-alabama-covid-19-cases-rises-449-spread-across-45-counties/ "> Read more.

by BirminghamWatch