Coronavirus

Coronavirus Changing Pregnancy, Delivery for Alabama Women

In her third trimester, Veronica Wehby-Upchurch is having to adjust her maternity plans. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, what she thought the final weeks of her pregnancy and birthing plan would look like could be much different. “There's a lot that's unknown and it's scary to think about that and how it might affect you and a brand new baby,” Wehby-Upchurch, of Birmingham, said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it does not know if COVID-19 causes complications during pregnancy or how it will affect the baby’s health. Read more.

by Caroline Beck and Abby Driggers, Alabama Daily News

Downtown Testing Site Expands Hours

The downtown COVID-19 testing site has changed its hours and will now be open 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. seven days a week. Patients must call 205-975-1881 before going for a test and speak with a provider, who will determine whether they should be tested. The call center hours now are 7 a.m. to 7

by BirminghamWatch

“Pomp and Circumstance” Delayed for Another Day

Auburn University, the University of Alabama and many Birmingham-area colleges and universities have canceled spring commencement ceremonies and have decided to continue online courses during summer in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

COVID-19 Cases Up 50% Since Wednesday

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama climbed today to 1,535, growing by more than 50% since Wednesday morning. One week ago, the state had 604 confirmed cases and three deaths. The state Department of Public Health reported this afternoon that there have been 21 confirmed deaths from the disease, and the state is investigating 17 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Ivey Orders Residents to Stay Home; Marshall Says State Will Enforce

MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday ordered Alabama residents to stay home except for essential needs, imploring citizens to take the new coronavirus seriously and distance themselves from others. “COVID-19 is an imminent threat to our way of life and you need to understand that we are past urging people to stay at home," Ivey said during a news conference at the state Capitol. "It is now the law.” The order requires Alabamians to stay in their places of residence unless traveling to obtain necessary supplies such as food or medicine or going to work if they are part of the “essential workforce.” The order goes into effect Saturday at 5 p.m. Read more.

by Caroline Beck and Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Gov. Ivey Issues Statewide Stay-at-Home Order

The governor today called a statewide stay-at-home order to begin Saturday at 5 p.m. and last through the end of the month. The order is similar to the emergency order already in place but is focused on people, ordering them to stay at home except for essential errands such as grocery shopping and trips to the pharmacy. Come back to BirminghamWatch for the complete story.

by BirminghamWatch

City to Birmingham Residents: Stay Home Through April 30

Birmingham’s shelter-in-place order has been extended through April 30. The extension, approved unanimously by the Birmingham City Council on Friday, is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city by effectively instituting a citywide curfew, with exceptions for “essential” activities such as purchasing food, seeking health care or engaging in solitary outdoor recreation. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Alabama’s COVID-19 Toll: 1,315 Confirmed Cases, 21 Deaths

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama climbed today to 1,315, and the state Department of Public Health reported 21 deaths from the disease. The agency is investigating 13 other deaths of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. Jefferson County leads the state with 325 confirmed cases, and officials are investigating five deaths in the county of patients who were previously diagnosed with the disease; none of those were confirmed to be the result of COVID-19. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Hit 1,270; Confirmed Deaths Stand at 17

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama climbed today to 1,270, the state Department of Public Health reported. The agency said it has confirmed 17 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic and is investigating the cause of death of another 15 people who had tested positive for COVID-19. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Doug Jones: Alabama ‘Critically Unprepared’ for COVID-19

Democratic U.S. Sen. Doug Jones says Alabama is an "unhealthy" state with a high-risk population. He says officials should implement strict measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM