coronavirus

Exclusive: White House Document Shows 18 States in Coronavirus “Red Zone”

“This article about the coronavirus red zone was originally published by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit newsroom based in Washington, D.C.”> A document prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force but not publicized suggests more than a dozen states should revert to more stringent protective measures, limiting social gatherings to 10 people or fewer, closing bars and gyms and asking residents to wear masks at all times. The document, dated July 14 and obtained by the Center for Public Integrity, says 18 states are in the “red zone” for COVID-19 cases, meaning they had more than 100 new cases per 100,000 population last week. Eleven states are in the “red zone” for test positivity, meaning more than 10 percent of diagnostic test results came back positive. Alabama is on the list for both red zones. Read more.

by Liz Essley Whyte, Center for Public Integrity

Metro Areas Lead Daily Surge in COVID-19 Cases in Alabama

With the Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville and Montgomery areas accounting for almost half the cases, Alabama recorded 1,953 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, pushing the state's overall total to 62,111 since the pandemic began in March. The Alabama Department of Public Health's daily COVID Dashboard showed 32 deaths during the 24-hour period, bringing the overall total to 1,232. For the second consecutive day, Walker County had the most deaths; the county, which includes Jasper, reported six deaths on Thursday and five on Friday to raise its total to 48. The report marked the third straight day of increasing numbers of cases. Alabama is averaging 1,745 new cases a day over the past week and 1,482 daily during the last 14 days. Jefferson County again led the increase with 296 new cases for a total of 8,105. Mobile County had 199 cases to raise its total to 5,713, and Madison County listed 175 for an overall count of 3,148. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Jefferson County Reports 360 COVID-19 Cases as Alabama’s Count Continues to Climb

Jefferson County reported 360 cases of COVID-19 Thursday as the number of people testing positive for the disease in Alabama continued its steady climb. The Alabama Department of Public Health's daily COVID-19 Dashboard showed 1,933 new confirmed cases of the disease for the 24-hour period, pushing the state's total to 60,158 since the pandemic hit in mid-March. Another 842 individuals are suspected of having COVID-19 but their cases are still being investigated. Seventeen people died of the disease during the latest period, raising the state's overall total to 1,200, plus 28 more that are still being checked. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Alabama’s COVID-19 New-Case Averages Climb to All-Time Highs Again

The upward march of COVID-19 totals for new cases and deaths continues in Alabama, which led Gov. Kay Ivey to order the mandatory use of face masks in most situations. In Birmingham Watch’s weekly analysis of data reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health, the 7-day moving average of new cases for the period ending July 15 jumped to 1,685.86 per day, an all-time high. And the longer-term 14-day moving average also stands at a record high of 1,413.07. The total number of people who have tested positive for the disease since the pandemic began in mid-March stands at 58,225, an increase of 11,801 cases from seven days prior. The new total is roughly double the number reported on June 20 and quadruple that of May 24, which means the total is doubling about every 25 days. At the current rate of increase, Alabama could reach 100,000 positive cases on or about Aug. 5. Read more.

by Robert Carter

Ivey Orders Use of Face Masks Statewide as COVID-19 Spikes in Alabama

Gov. Kay Ivey, expressing alarm over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Alabama, issued a statewide mask order Wednesday, effective at 5 p.m. Thursday. Appearing at a news conference with state health officer Scott Harris, Ivey said masks will be required for all indoor spaces open to the public, on vehicles operated by transportation services and in outdoor spaces where 10 or more people are gathered. “Overnight last night we had 2,141 new cases,” she said. “That brings our total to 58,270 cases, and we’ve had 1,183 deaths.” Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Health Inspectors are Enforcing Coronavirus Rules, Can Close Jefferson County Restaurants and Bars That Do Not Comply

The Jefferson County Health Department is using food inspectors to monitor restaurant and bars’ adherence to COVID-19 orders, and they can immediately close establishments that do not comply. "We intend to check every place that serves food," said Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson. "COVID-19 is not part of food regulations, but we can still take action if we deem a bar or food establishment is a threat to public health." The inspectors can issue an emergency closure order if they see a restaurant or bar violates either county or state emergency orders concerning COVID-19. "We intend to use it, if we need to," Wilson said. First, though, they will try to work with establishment owners or managers to put together a plan to bring the restaurant or bar in compliance with county and state orders. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Williamson: People’s Actions in the Next Two Weeks Critical to Controlling the Future of COVID Infections

People of Alabama can slow the spread of COVID-19 if they will wear masks, socially distance and follow other medical advice over the coming days, the head of the Alabama Hospital Association said Tuesday. Dr. Don Williamson, who previously served as the state health officer, said he is concerned about the way the coronavirus is being transmitted, and he is worried that it has the potential to put a strain on Alabama hospitals. Williamson was the guest of U.S. Sen. Doug Jones on a Facebook Live event Tuesday. “This is one of those rare diseases where we control our future,” he said. “If we over the next 10 days to two weeks will put on masks, will avoid large group gatherings, will maintain six feet of social distance, will wash our hands and do all the things that we’ve talked about … we will make a meaningful difference in the transmission of this virus,” Williamson said. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Alabama Records 40 Deaths from COVID-19, the State’s Highest Daily Count

Alabama recorded 40 deaths from COVID-19, the highest one-day increase since the pandemic began in March, according the state Department of Public Health's daily report Tuesday. Mobile County reported seven deaths from the disease, Jefferson County had four and Walker County listed three. The state's death toll reached 1,136, plus 28 that are listed as probably from COVID-19 but as yet unconfirmed. Twenty-two of the 67 counties reported deaths during the 24-hour period covered by the report. The report showed 1,673 new confirmed cases, raising the state's overall total to 56,441, plus 777 cases listed as probably from the disease. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Residents, Employees at Veterans Nursing Homes Test Positive for COVID-19

At the end of June, after completing a round of testing for the coronavirus at the state’s four veterans homes, the state Department of Veterans Affairs reported that all of the residents at the homes were “virus free.” That is no longer the case. The department reported Monday that after additional testing last week, nine residents and seven employees at the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette tested positive for the coronavirus. So have seven employees at the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City, three at the Floyd “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville and four at the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

UAB-Linked Intranasal Coronavirus Vaccine Heads to Phase 1 Trials

The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Altimmune, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced positive results Monday from preclinical studies of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Altimmune plans to start its first Phase I safety and immunity tests of the vaccine candidate, called AdCOVID, in humans later this year. The vaccine candidate was tested at UAB in an intranasal spray in mice. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald