Health Care

Shut It Down: Jefferson County Officials Close the Doors of Bars and Restaurants, Make Gatherings of 25 People or More Illegal

The chief medical officer of Jefferson County laid down the law this evening in the war against the coronavirus, ordering “drastic efforts” to avoid contact with people who might have the disease. Beginning Tuesday and until further notice, all gatherings of 25 people or more are prohibited countywide. All Jefferson County bars, breweries and restaurants are to prohibit in-person dining and drinking for one week. That policy will be reevaluated at that time. They may, however, offer delivery and curbside take-out. Also, all senior centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities must be closed to visitors. Dr. Mark E. Wilson said authorities are aware of 17 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Jefferson County but believe there are “many, many more.” Based on initial disease investigation, he said officials believe there is community spread of the virus within Jefferson County, not just spread from contact with people who have been out of the country. Across Alabama, the state Health Department is reporting 29 confirmed cases of the disease. Read more.

‘Drastic Efforts’ in JeffCo Aim to Curb the Spread of Coronavirus

Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson announced a series of orders to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. At a press conference Monday evening, Wilson said the department is aware of 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, but that number is certain to be a “major under-representation.” Beginning Tuesday and until further notice, all gatherings of 25 people or more are prohibited countywide. All Jefferson County bars, breweries and restaurants are to prohibit in-person dining and drinking for one week. During this time, establishments can offer take-out and delivery and are “strongly encouraged” to offer online ordering and curbside pick-up. Hospital food service areas are exempt from this order. Also, all senior centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities must be closed to visitors. Read more.

Avoid These Myths About the Coronavirus

Desperate times call for desperate measures, the director of UAB’s Infectious Diseases said Monday in response to a question about various rumored remedies and treatments for the coronavirus that are being bandied about. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo said she has heard about supposed remedies ranging from gargling with Listerine to taking plant-based medicines. She warned that suggested ways to avoid or treat the virus that don’t come from the medical world “are probably not credible.” And there are many myths out there, such as statements that "everyone with COVID-19 dies." That's not true -- or even close to being true. Read more.

What’s the Name of the Virus Causing this Pandemic?

by Virginia MacDonald

What’s the Name of the Virus Causing this Pandemic

So, what is causing this pandemic? Coronavirus? COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2? Same virus, different names. The formal name is SARS-COV2, but COVID-19 can be used, as can coronavirus. Read more.

Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Centers on Lockdown

Alabama nursing homes and assisted living facilities went into lockdown Saturday in the wake of the president declaring a national state of emergency from the COVID-19 virus. The facilities are implementing a no-visitors regulation from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Read more.

Alabama Has Its First Cases of COVID-19; Public K-12 Schools to Close for 2½ Weeks

Latest Updates: Alabama now has two confirmed cases of COVID-19, one in Jefferson County and one in Montgomery County, and public schools will close after Wednesday for 2½ weeks. Read more.

State Puts $5M Toward Coronavirus Prep, Testing

Alabama Daily News The Alabama Legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday issued $5 million to help the Alabama Department of Public Health prepare for and test more Alabamians for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. As of Thursday evening, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said there have been no positive cases found in the limited number of Alabamians tested for COVID-19. But he believes the virus is in the state. “I don’t think there is any doubt we have disease circulating to some degree," Harris said. Read more.

Cancel Gatherings of 500 People or More, Jefferson County Health Officer Advises

Jefferson County’s health officer, Dr. Mark Wilson, in a press conference Thursday recommended canceling all public gatherings of 500 people or more in a bid to protect people from the new coronavirus. No one in Alabama has been diagnosed with COVID-19, but there’s a good chance there are undiagnosed cases in the state, Wilson said. Read more.

Alabama Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Screening Visitors to Battle Risk of Coronavirus; National Groups Advise Strict Limits

Alabama nursing home and national assisted living officials are taking the coronavirus threat seriously enough to analyze visitors’ health even though Alabama did not have any reported cases of the virus late Tuesday. The president of the American Health Care Association, Mark Parkinson, on Tuesday advised nursing homes and assisted living centers to curtail social visits and take steps to keep some employees away. Parkinson recommended that family members not visit nursing homes. Parkinson called the mortality rate at five Seattle-area nursing homes “shocking.” While Alabama nursing home officials have not gone that far, they have increased security for visitors at most nursing homes. Read more.

Coronavirus Disrupts Alabama Colleges and Businesses

Troy University sophomore Nicholas Gil had been planning a trip to China since September to further his education during spring break. Those plans ended abruptly, however, when the airlines began canceling flights and colleges and universities across Alabama suspended travel due to the coronavirus spreading around the world. “I was majorly disappointed,” said Gil, whose canceled trip was part of the Confucius Institute at Troy. Confucius institutes are affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education to teach Americans about Chinese business, education, culture and public interests. The coronavirus is disrupting the lives of students, faculty members and business people across Alabama as entities race to protect their constituents and prevent the introduction and spread of the virus onto their sites. Read more.