Category: Coronavirus
Parker High Joins No-Appointment Vaccination Sites
Seeking a Return to Pre-Pandemic Normal
Alabama could have a “return to normality” this fall if people continue to get vaccinations as they are now, a UAB expert said Thursday.
UAB School of Public Health professor Suzanne Judd said vaccinated people could feel confident returning to their pre-pandemic lifestyles when the rate of cases drops to 5 per 100,000. That is likely to happen when 70% of the population of the state, or about 3.5 million people, has immunity to the novel coronavirus. Read more.
Alabama’s New COVID Case Count Increases in Thursday’s Report
New COVID-19 cases increased in Thursday’s report by the Alabama Department of Public Health. There were 421 new cases, the first report above 400 in more than a week. Read more.
UAB Health System CEO: ‘It really was that bleak.’
UAB Health System CEO Will Ferniany will end his health care career having led the organization through the coronavirus pandemic. He plans to retire later this year. Read more.
COVID Numbers in Alabama Leveling Off After Long Downtrend
After a steady decline over the past three months, the trend of new COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations is flattening out, or in some cases pointing slightly upward. In BirminghamWatch’s periodic analysis of COVID data, the 7-day average of new cases reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health is 311.14 per day, up from 294.86 a week beforehand. Read more.
Marshall Cautions Local Leaders on Proper Use of New Federal Funds
MONTGOMERY — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall warned local governments Tuesday to use incoming funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act in accordance with state law or be subject to criminal charges. Read more.
Alabama Pauses Distribution of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
Alabama is one of several states halting distribution of the vaccine as federal health officials examine links to adverse health effects. Read more.
Alabama Adds 282 COVID Cases, 10 Deaths
A net total of 282 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Tuesday by the Alabama Department of Public Health, continuing a trend of daily figures hovering near the 300 mark over the past week. Read more.
Jefferson County Health Officer Recaps Tumultuous Year, Urges Residents to Continue Precautions so There Isn’t Another One
As the state’s mandatory face mask order ended Friday, Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson urged residents to continue using masks and get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I am joining with Gov. Kay Ivey and state Health officer Dr. Scott Harris to encourage the use of masks,” he said.
In his Annual Public Health Address for Jefferson County, Wilson timelined his department’s work last year with other agencies, including UAB and local governmental officials, to staunch the flood of COVID cases. Read more.
New Coronavirus Cases Continue Decline as Mask Mandate Expires in Most of the State; Mandate Remains in Birmingham
There were 318 new cases of COVID-19 reported Friday by the Alabama Department of Public Health, continuing an eight-day decline in new cases as the statewide mask mandate expires at 5 p.m. A mask requirement remains in several cities, including Birmingham, where the City Council has mandated masks be worn through May 24. Read more.
