Coronavirus

Alabama Makes Progress Slowing Virus’ Spread, Still too Soon to Reopen Economy, Ivey Says

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday said Alabama's social distancing measures appear to be slowing the spread of the coronavirus, but it is too soon say when shuttered businesses could reopen. Ivey expects to have recommendations by Friday from a small-business task force chaired by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth about how and when to allow different types of companies to resume operations. "And, as everybody knows, this is not a simple process like flipping on a light switch," Ivey said. Read more.

by Todd Stacy and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Blue Cross Waives Cost-Sharing, Co-Pays for COVID-19 Tests, Treatments, Hospitalizations

The state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, continues to waive cost-sharing, including co-pays, for those who need treatment for COVID-19. “We want our members to be assured that we are here for them as we navigate through this unprecedented time,” said Tim Vines, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s president, in a press release. “For our members diagnosed with COVID-19, we want them to have peace of mind knowing they have access to the care they need.” Read more.

by Will Whatley, Alabama Daily News

Alabama Parole Hearings to Resume May 18

Parole hearings will resume in Alabama in mid-May, under a supplemental emergency order issued by Gov. Kay Ivey. The order eases some of the restrictions set in Alabama statute about when and how parole hearings can be conducted as the state tries to limit person-to-person contact to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles said in an emailed statement that the May 18 start date follows the 30-day notice required for properly notifying crime victims and others. Leadership had halted hearings almost a month ago. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Auburn Professor to Start COVID-19 Vaccine Testing

An Auburn University professor will soon begin testing new COVID-19 vaccines to see how they work alone or with other ingredients to help slow the spread of the virus. Dr. Constantinos Kyriakis, an associate professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine, will head the testing while working with Professor Ted Ross, the director of the Center for Vaccines and Immunology at the University of Georgia. Kryiakis will begin animal trials to investigate the effectiveness of different vaccine candidates. The testing will involve vaccine candidates’ effectiveness at triggering an immune system response in pigs. The tests will see what other ingredients could trigger a greater immune system response, in order to make the most effective vaccine. Read more.

by Devin Pavlou, Alabama Daily News

Two Dead After Testing Positive for COVID-19 at Veterans Home at Alexander City

Two residents of one of the state’s four veterans homes have died after testing positive for the COVID-19, the state Department of Veterans Affairs stated this morning. The two veterans, 89 and 99 years of age, were among 25 residents who have tested positive for the virus at the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City.  In addition, 18 employees at the Nichols home also have tested positive for the virus, as have two employees at the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Birmingham Commits Another $1 Million to Temporary Worker Program

City Council voted to allocate more funds to the city’s fight against COVID-19. The city’s coronavirus fund was given an additional $1 million for what Mayor Randall Woodfin called “phase two” of the city’s coronavirus response, which involves a temporary “Birmingham Strong Service Corps” worker program focusing on coronavirus testing, access to testing and food insecurity resulting from the pandemic. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Alabama Top 100 as Cases Rise to 3,803

The number of cases in Alabama from the novel coronavirus rose to 3,803 Monday night, with 103 reported deaths, 62 of those confirmed through follow-up tests, according to the state Department of Public Health. Since March 13, 457 people have been hospitalized with the disease. Statewide, 28,486 people have been tested for the coronavirus. Every county now has confirmed cases. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Parole Hearings Will Resume With “Reduced Person-To-Person Interaction”

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles will resume parole hearings May 18 after stopping them last month in response to COVID-19. Advocates say the state should expedite the parole process to protect inmates and alleviate prison crowding. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

There Will Be a Day After, but Then Comes the Day After That

UAB officials are starting to look toward the day when COVID-19 cases start to decline in Alabama, but there are no easy answers to what could come next. The most-watched model of coronavirus spread now predicts Alabama will hit its peak April 21, a week from Tuesday, though that date has varied over time. Government and public health officials are watching the numbers to determine when the state can begin the process of getting back to ‘normal.’ When cases do start to drop, those officials will be determining whether they can reopen businesses but require they maintain social distancing, for instance, Dr. Rachel Lee, UAB Hospital epidemiologist, said in a briefing Monday. Lee said people even after restrictions are lightened may have to continue some socially distancing if they want to stay healthy. They may have to cut back on hugging and shaking hands to thwart the coronavirus spread, she said. When movement restrictions are lightened, UAB professionals also will be getting ready for either a slow steady stream of COVID-19 patients or a potential surge of patients. They are planning for the possibility of having to bring COVID-19 operations back to full speed, if needed, Lee said. A decline in the disease does not mean it has gone away; previous pandemics have proved that, she said. Read more.

by Virginia Martin

Surviving A Pandemic: How The 1918 Spanish Flu Changed Life in Alabama

In 1918, Edna Register Boone and her family were living in the rural community of Madrid in south Alabama. “I was 10 years old and my family was the only family in the little town that did not contact the flu,” Boone said. “Therefore my parents became automatic nurses.” In a 2007 interview with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Boone described her memories of living through the Spanish Influenza pandemic. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM