Category: Coronavirus
Number of COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Stands at 283
The Alabama Department of Public Health’s tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state rose this morning to 283, up from 242 on Tuesday.
Jefferson County accounted for 99 cases, and Shelby County had 36. The disease was reported from 28 of Alabama’s 67 counties.
The department said 2,818 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Alabama.
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Alabama Schools Chief Explores Ways to Teach Students During an ‘Incomplete Year’
State education leaders are trying to figure out how to teach students in an era of coronavirus. Read more.
Ivey Says No Shelter-in-Place Order Needed for State Right Now; Health Officials Search for Extra Medical Resources
MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey said on Tuesday that she has no plans as of now to issue a shelter-in-place order for the state to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Read more.
Veterans Homes Report No COVID-19 Cases So Far
The state’s four veterans homes so far have no confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Assistant Veterans Affairs Commissioner Bob Horton. Read more.
William Bell Takes a Break
Former Birmingham Mayor William Bell and his wife, Sharon, were strolling in Railroad Park on Tuesday afternoon, taking a change of pace from being self-quarantined indoors because of the COVID-19 threat. Bell said getting out is good, but people should observe social distances when they are out and about. Read more.
World Awaits Results of COVID-19 Drug Treatment Developed at UAB Center
In the search for a drug treatment for COVID-19, prime interest has centered on remdesivir, a compound produced by Gilead Sciences that has its roots in a National Institutes of Health-funded center based at UAB.
Demand for the therapy has been so high – even before proof of the drug’s effectiveness has emerged from clinical trials – that Gilead officials on Sunday halted further access to individual patients requesting it under the FDA’s “compassionate use” status.
UAB researcher Richard Whitley, who helped develop the drug and heads the Antiviral Drug Discovery and Development Center, said he understood that the pharmaceutical company would still grant use of remdesivir through physician request even outside of a clinical trial.
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A Q&A with UAB antiviral researchers.
UAB Researchers Answer Questions About Antiviral Work
Richard Whitley, MD, director, and Stephanie Moore, PhD, associate director, of the Antiviral Drug Discovery and Development Center (AD3C) answer questions by Hank Black of BirminghamWatch about the University of Alabama at Birimingham’s anti-viral research program.
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Alabama’s COVID-19 Count Reaches 242, 118 in Jefferson and Shelby Counties
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama climbed today to 242, including 91 in Jefferson County and 27 in Shelby County.
The Alabama Department of Public Health’s afternoon update showed cases of COVID-19 confirmed in 26 counties. Since a report earlier in the day, Autauga was added to the list of counties where the disease was diagnosed, with one case there.
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Birmingham Residents Ordered to Shelter in Place, Leave Home for Only the Most Essential Activities
A “shelter in place” ordinance is now in effect in Birmingham. The order, passed by the City Council Tuesday evening, is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by effectively instituting a curfew on all residents — with numerous exceptions.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the ordinance was intended to address those who were not in compliance with the city’s previous recommendations. “A lot of people are treating this as a vacation,” he said. “This is not a vacation. … We need to now pivot from recommendation to full enforcement if the ultimate goal is to save lives.”
There are numerous exceptions outlined in the ordinance — notably for people seeking “essential services or commodities;” public safety officials and first responders; utility, cable, and telecommunications companies; federal, state, county or city government employees; and the homeless. Read more.
Birmingham Council OKs Funding for Small Business Loans
The Birmingham City Council has approved the first part of funding for a small business loan program designed to help small businesses struggling with the impact of COVID-19. The program, which was approved in concept last week, would provide eligible small businesses with up to $25,000 in interest-free, 180-day loans. Read more.
