Science

UAB Doctors Urge People to Continue Being Cautious as COVID-19 Cases Grow

As Alabama continues marching toward a fuller reopening, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state continues marching upward. But officials say it’s too early to determine whether the numbers are increasing because testing is increasing or more people are becoming infected. A day after State Health Officer Scott Harris described infection numbers as “not as good as we could hope for” – which was also the same day the state had its worst COVID report card yet, posting 615 new cases and 19 deaths in a 25-hour period – a UAB doctor said Wednesday that people still need to take precautions. “As we all know, Alabama has opened up and currently we are seeing an increase in our cases, particularly in hotspots such as Montgomery,” said epidemiologist Dr. Rachael Lee. “I believe Jefferson County had their highest number of cases yesterday that they’ve had this whole period of time and some of that may be reflective of testing. But it's hard to tell at this stage.” Read more.

Nonprofits Target Open Records Law With Suit Against Three State Officials

Two environmental groups filed suit this week under the Alabama Open Records Act seeking to force state officials to turn over documents related to the 35th Avenue Superfund federal bribery trial. Over the past few years many nonprofits, news organizations and others have attempted to use the law to gain access to information but often have been stonewalled by agencies and their officers. The Environmental Defense Alliance and Gasp, a clean air and human rights advocate, filed a lawsuit claiming that Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and a member of the Alabama Environmental Management Commission violated the Open Records Act by denying access to public records. Read more.

Alabama Breaks Its COVID-19 Daily Record, Adds 615 New Cases

Alabama had its worst day yet by far for COVID-19 cases, adding 615 confirmed cases of the disease and 19 new deaths Tuesday. Previously, the highest peak in new cases was on April 8, with 392 new cases. The Alabama Department of Public Health was reporting the state had a total of 12,701 confirmed cases and 508 deaths at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Twenty-five hours earlier, at 3 a.m. Tuesday, the department reported the state had 12,086 cases of the disease and 489 deaths. Read more.

Jefferson County Commission Considers More COVID-19 Relief for Businesses

Businesses in Jefferson County will be able to apply for more money to help them combat the effects of COVID-19 if the County Commission approves a resolution being considered Thursday. The resolution, presented by the Office of Community Services and Workforce Development, seeks up $1.15 million in supplemental funds for the county’s revolving loan fund grant from the state's Economic Development Administration. Jefferson County commissioners in their committee meeting Tuesday decided to place the issue on the agenda for action Thursday. Read more.

Birmingham Extends Face-Covering Requirement Through May 29

Birmingham has extended its ordinances requiring face coverings in public places through May 29. That’s a week later than the May 22 deadline the council set last week, and councilors have suggested that further extensions are likely as the number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama continues to rise. The face covering ordinance has been in effect since May 1. It requires residents to wear a device covering their nose and mouth to stymie the spread of the virus. Medical-grade masks are not required; scarves, bandanas or other fabrics will suffice. A document answering frequently asked questions about the ordinance, including a list of exceptions, is available on the city’s website. Read more.

Birmingham Delays Budget Talks to Determine COVID-19’s Damage to City Coffers; Mayor Warns Next Year Could Be Austere

Birmingham’s FY 2021 budget will be delayed for three months as the city works to ascertain the financial impact of COVID-19. Mayor Randall Woodfin told the City Council on Tuesday morning that the city could take a $75 million to $110 million hit to next year’s budget because of losses in revenues from sources such as sales, use and occupational taxes. He hopes delaying the budgeting process will give city leaders more time to understand the extent of the damage. “Adjustments to an operational budget of our size to offset this amount of deficit would require major reductions and austerity measures to our current cost structures,” Woodfin said. Read more.

Alabama COVID-19 Cases Top 12,000

Alabama reported an increase of 315 cases of COVID-19 and one death late Monday. The increase brings the state’s totals to 12,086 cases and 489 deaths, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard. Read more.

National Guard Continues Nursing Home Disinfections

Since being activated about a month ago, Alabama National Guard teams have completed nearly 130 disinfection missions at nursing homes around the state as part of an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Read more.

Lawmakers Approve Ivey’s $1.8B Coronavirus Spending Plan

Alabama's elected leaders have approved a plan to spend $1.8 billion in federal coronavirus relief money, despite Senate leaders saying they were left out of the process before their vote Monday. "Some meetings took place in our absence that we weren’t involved in and I thought that was inappropriate," Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, told reporters. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said House members were worried about slowing down the process of passing the state budgets and getting relief funds to those who needed them immediately, but there was no nefarious intent behind their meetings with Ivey last week. "The House was willing to step up and bring suggestions to the governor," McCutcheon said Monday, "We were not working against the Senate. We were not working in secret. We were just doing our job as the House body." Ivey said in an emailed statement Monday that her "friendly" amendment to the budget was to ensure CAREs Act funding was made available immediately to those who needed it the most. Read more. Related Story:

Ivey Signs State Budgets Into Law

Ivey Signs State Budgets Into Law

MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law the state’s two budgets Monday after a unique and at some points tense final weeks of the 2020 regular legislative session. “I appreciate the hard work of the Legislature during an unprecedented regular session,” Ivey said in an emailed statement. “While we have yet to know the full impact of COVID-19 on our state, these budgets will ensure continuity of government, while being fiscally responsible. There is more work to be done, and I look forward to working with the Legislature in the days ahead.” A $7.2 billion Education Trust Fund budget was approved, as well as a $2.3 billion General Fund budget, both for fiscal year 2021, which begins in October. Read more.