Science

Alabama’s COVID-19 Numbers Continue to Climb, with 1,390 New Cases

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Alabama continued to climb in Thursday's update by the Alabama Department of Public Health, reaching the highest single-day level in almost two weeks. The report showed 1,390 new cases, the most since a count of 1,490 on Oct. 9. There has been an average of 1,129 cases a day over the past week, the highest 7-day average since Sept. 5. Alabama has recorded 177,064 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March. That includes 154,942 confirmed cases and 22,122 listed as probable. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Demand For Bikes & Outdoor Gear Surges During Pandemic

The pandemic has driven many people outdoors, but finding the right gear could be a challenge. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

Numbers of Hospitalizations and New Cases Rise in Wednesday COVID-19 Reports

The number of COVID-positive inpatients at UAB rose Wednesday to its highest level in more than a month. The hospital was treating 73 COVID patients, according to its daily report. UAB had a peak of 124 inpatients with the disease on Aug. 3, and the number dropped to as low as 44 on Sept. 18. It fluctuated after that and stood at 61 on Oct. 16. It has risen steadily since then to Wednesday’s number. Statewide, the number of hospitalizations was up slightly on Tuesday -- the latest day for which figures were available -- to 863. That's highest since that same figure was reported on Sept. 4. The Alabama Department of Public Health’s COVID Dashboard showed 1,146 new cases of the disease and 23 deaths in Wednesday’s update. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

ADEM Holds First of Three Public Hearings on Alabama Power’s Coal Ash Pond Disposal Plans

Environmentalists and members of the coal industry filed into West Jefferson Town Hall Tuesday evening to give feedback on a proposed permit to allow Alabama Power Company to cover a local coal ash pond and leave the pollutants in place. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management hosted Tuesday’s event as part of its efforts to gather public comments on the permit, which specifically concerns the Plant Miller Ash Pond near West Jefferson. The permit outlines requirements for managing the coal ash, including facility maintenance and groundwater monitoring. Alabama Power is seeking to treat and remove water from the pond before covering the coal ash in place, according to its website. Material located within 450 yards of the river would be excavated and moved farther away. Alabama Power also would monitor groundwater around the facility for at least 30 years. Read more.

by Angela Fu

Birmingham City Schools Returning Students to Classrooms, Though Many Families Still Prefer Virtual Learning

Birmingham city school students will return to in-person classes two days a week beginning Nov. 9. Read more.

by Robert Carter

Alabama Adds 1,043 Cases of COVID-19, 16 Deaths

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 1,043 new cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths in its daily update on Tuesday There have been 174,528 cases of the coronavirus in Alabama throughout the pandemic -- 153,016 confirmed as being from the disease and 21,512 listed as probable. The state has recorded 2,805 deaths from the disease, with 2,633 confirmed and 172 probable. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama Records 859 New Cases of COVID-19, One Death

An additional 859 cases of COVID-19 and one new death from the disease were reported Monday by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state has recorded 173,485 cases of the disease and 2,789 deaths since the pandemic began in March. There have been 152,272 confirmed cases and 21,213 listed as probable. The death toll includes 2,621 confirmed and 168 probable. Jefferson County reported 100 new cases, followed by Tuscaloosa County with 97. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

964 New Cases of COVID-19 Added in Sunday Report

Alabama added 964 cases of COVID-19 but no new deaths in the Alabama Department of Public Health's daily update Sunday. There have been 172,626 cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began in March. That includes 151,527 confirmed cases and 21,099 listed as probable. Jefferson County led the state with 106 new cases, with Tuscaloosa County reporting 104. The Health Department's COVID Dashboard lists 2,788 deaths in Alabama, including 2,620 confirmed as having resulted from COVID-19 and 168 shown as probable. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Saturday Update: 1,288 New Cases of COVID-19, Two Deaths

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,288 cases of COVID-19 in its daily update on Saturday. That brought the number of cases in the state since the pandemic began in March to 171,662 -- 150,696 confirmed cases and 20,966 listed as probable. The report added two deaths, both confirmed to be from COVID-19. There have been 2,620 confirmed deaths and 168 probable. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama Adds 1,212 Coronavirus Cases in Friday’s Updates, 30 More Deaths

Another 1,212 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Alabama in Friday morning’s daily update, bringing the number of people who have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began to 170,374. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch