Category: Coronavirus
Dine-In Service and Beaches Closed; Could See a Shortage of Ventilators
The Alabama Department of Public Health on Thursday prohibited any gatherings involving 25 or more people, closed state beaches and child care facilities, prohibited on-site dining in restaurants and canceled non-emergency medical procedures.
Gov. Kay Ivey said the order, effective through April 5, is the best way to contain the spread of the coronavirus and to stop a possible surge on Alabama hospitals and medical resources.
“Despite our best efforts, the threat of the COVID-19 virus continues to spread and, unfortunately, we have not yet reached peak impact,” Ivey said in a statement. “While I am pleased that many of our citizens are self-regulating and are practicing social distancing, we want to ensure that Alabama is doing our part to flatten the curve.”
Late Thursday, Ivey said her office and the Department of Public Health would offer further clarity on the 25-person rule for public gatherings and how it would be applied in business environments.
As of Thursday afternoon, 78 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed statewide, up 28 cases from a day earlier. Jefferson County had the most cases at 34, followed by Lee County at 10, Shelby County at 9, Madison and Elmore Counties at 5, Tuscaloosa County at 4 and Montgomery County at 3. Baldwin, Calhoun, Chambers, Limestone, Mobile, Talladega and Walker Counties reported 1 case each.
So far, in the U.S., 10,442 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed and 150 deaths are attributed to the disease, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more.
2 Cases of COVID-19 Found in JeffCo Nursing Homes
Two cases of coronavirus have been positively diagnosed at two Jefferson County nursing homes.
Alabama Nursing Home Association President Brandon Farmer today said the cases involve a resident at one home and a worker at the other.
“Both are receiving the medical care they need and are isolated from others. We hope both will make a full recovery,” Farmer said.
Read more.
Auto Plants Suspending Operations Because of COVID-19
Alabama’s major car plants have been hit by coronavirus. Read more.
UAB Infectious Disease Expert With COVID-19 Says “Stay Home”
Dr. Michael Saag knows a thing or two about infectious diseases. He’s director of the Center for AIDS Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Right now, though, he’s a patient. Saag announced Tuesday that he’s tested positive for coronavirus.
Saag said he was being vigilant by practicing social distancing, wiping down surfaces, washing his hands frequently and trying not to touch his face, but the coronavirus is so contagious he caught it anyway.
His message to others? “Stay at home! Do not go out unless it’s essential,” Saag said. Read more.
Runoff Election Delayed to July; Political Campaigns Rethink Strategy
MONTGOMERY— Alabama political campaigns that were set for primary runoff elections on March 31 have to now adjust their strategies after Gov. Kay Ivey moved the election date to July 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ivey on Wednesday said delaying the election was the best way to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus while also allowing people to exercise their right to vote.
“The ability to hold free and fair elections is an inherent right as citizens of the United States and the great state of Alabama, but the safety and well-being of Alabama citizens is paramount,” Ivey said.
The decision greatly changes the political landscape in an already heated campaign season. Read more.
In Public Health Emergency, Agencies Make Plans for Vulnerable Populations
State agencies that interact regularly with the public are now having to navigate new ways of reaching them, including vulnerable populations such as seniors and children. Read more.
Samford Offers Website with Information About Coronavirus in Alabama
Samford University has developed a website that provides information about the coronavirus pandemic in Alabama. The pandemic data dashboard features information on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alabama, nationally and globally. It has a map showing the distribution of cases; users can click on any of the state’s 67 counties for information about cases and risks there. Read more.
Ivey Delays Alabama Primary Runoff Election Until July 14
Gov. Kay Ivey today moved Alabama’s primary runoff elections from next Tuesday, March 31, until July 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Exercising my extraordinary powers under the Emergency Management Act, I am setting Alabama’s Primary Runoff Election for July 14, 2020,” Ivey said during a news conference this morning. “The ability to hold free and fair elections is an inherent right as citizens of the United States and the great state of Alabama, but the safety and wellbeing of Alabama citizens is paramount.”
She said recommendations that people practice social distancing and avoid crowds would be difficult to maintain in election day.
Read more.
COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Stand at 157, With 71 in Jefferson County
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama continued to climb on Sunday, reaching 157.
The Alabama Department of Public Health’s afternoon briefing showed 71 of those cases were in Jefferson County.
Shelby County accounted for 17 cases.
Read more.
Amid Historically Low Unemployment, Uptick Expected From Virus Impact
MONTGOMERY— State officials announced this week Alabama’s January unemployment rate remained at a record low 2.7%, but an uptick is expected eventually as businesses and industries are affected by the coronavirus and efforts to slow its spread.
To help those affected by business closures or slowdowns, the Alabama Department of Labor has modified existing rules to allow workers affected by COVID-19 to file a claim for unemployment compensation benefits. Read more.
