Health Care

UAB to Test Potential COVID-19 Vaccine

The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the biopharmaceutical company Altimmune Inc. will test a potential vaccine for COVID-19, the university announced today. Testing of the vaccine, AdCOVID, which was developed by the company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, will begin in mice during the second quarter of this year. That phase of testing, designed to show the immune response to the drug in mice, is expected to take one to two months, UAB said in announcing the collaboration. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Three Deaths, 604 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Alabama

Three people have died of COVID-19 in Alabama, the Alabama Public Health Department reported today as the number of confirmed cases of the disease rose to 604 in 52 of the state’s 67 counties. All three of the deaths were in the Tennessee Valley in north Alabama — one each in Jackson, Lauderdale and Madison counties. The Birmingham area continued to be the hot spot, with 179 cases in Jefferson County and 67 in Shelby County, according to the Health Department. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

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. Read more.

by Hank Black

UAB Hospital Opens Appointment-Only Test Site for COVID-19 Monday

Starting Monday, UAB hospital, in partnership with the Jefferson County Department of Health, will offer appointment-only testing for COVID-19. Officials say the drive-thru testing center will be located at University Blvd and 22nd Street South, at a former Southern Research Institute site. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

Use of Telehealth Is Growing in Alabama to Combat Spread of Coronovirus

Telehealth is playing growing role in helping to identify and treat people with the coronavirus, and to combat its spread across Alabama. Healthcare providers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, along with those at least one other network serving portions of the state, are expanding the use of cell phones, computers and other devices to connect patients with physicians to screen for COVID-19 and other illnesses. In addition, Medicare and Blue Cross have expanded their coverage for telehealth services. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

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.

by Virginia MacDonald

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.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

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.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama COVID-19 Testing Rife with Delays and Uncertainty

Across Alabama, the demand for COVID-19 testing is growing, and labs are struggling to turn around test results quickly. Read more.

by Janae Pierre, WBHM

COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Rise to 39, 21 in Jefferson County

The number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama today has risen to 36. The latest update from the Alabama Department of Public Health reports that Jefferson County now has 20 confirmed cases of the virus, Shelby County has four, Tuscaloosa has three, and Montgomery and Elmore each have two. Baldwin, Lee, Limestone, Madison and St. Clair counties have one confirmed case each. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch