coronavirus

Number of New COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Drops for Third Consecutive Day

For the third day in a row, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Alabama dropped on Wednesday, as did the number of deaths from the disease. The state recorded 390 confirmed new cases from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the total since the pandemic began in mid-March to 26,914. There were five deaths during that period to raise the total to 784, the Alabama Department of Public Health’s daily report showed. The report listed 398 cases and six deaths that officials say are probably from COVID-19 but have yet to be confirmed. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

City of Birmingham Facing ‘Economic Crisis’ Over Falling Revenue From Pandemic

Birmingham can expect an $18.3 million budgetary shortfall for the 2020 fiscal year because of the pandemic, Finance Director Lester Smith told the City Council Tuesday. And he warned that the economic impact on the city’s FY 2021 budget could be nearly four times that. Mayor Randall Woodfin, calling the situation an “economic crisis,” said that the dip in revenue means “painful” budget cuts are likely on the way. The COVID-19 pandemic and the city’s subsequent “shelter-in-place” order led to a significant drop in business tax revenue for the city, Smith said. That revenue, which includes sales, use and occupational taxes, typically accounts for 81.3% of the city’s overall budget.  Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Alabama’s COVID-19 Count Continues to Level Off for the Second Consecutive Day

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Alabama dropped slightly Tuesdsay for the second consecutive day. There were 632 new confirmed cases from 10 a.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 26,524 since the pandemic began in mid-March, the Alabama Department of Public Health reported. There were 10 new deaths, raising the overall total to 779. In addition, there were 380 patients who are believed to have COVID-19 but whose cases have not been confirmed as being from the disease, and five deaths thought to have been from the disease. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Fourth Inmate Dies With the Coronavirus

A fourth inmate in the Alabama prison system has died after testing positive for the coronavirus. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

UAB Treating Its Highest Number of Coronavirus Patients Since the Pandemic Began, Health Experts Say

The number of hospital patients with COVID-19 and people testing positive for the virus continues to spiral across Alabama and in Jefferson County, health experts participating in a UAB Hospital press conference said Monday. In the past seven to 14 days, 8% of people tested for the coronavirus had been showing positive results. But in the past seven days, that proportion has risen to 13%, said Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of UAB’s Division of Infectious Diseases. Seattle, once a hotspot, is now down to 1.5%, she added. Today, UAB has 68 COVID-19 patients, which Marazzo said is the highest number ever. Usually about half the UAB patients with COVID-19 are on ventilators. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Ivey Stresses Personal Responsibility as COVID-19 Cases Shoot Up in Alabama

Gov. Kay Ivey's office said this morning that the governor and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris are closely monitoring the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state. "Until our next update, Gov. Ivey continues to reiterate that the threat of this virus is not behind us," her press secretary, Gina Maiola, said in an emailed response to BirminghamWatch. She said Ivey continues to stress the need for personal responsibility during the pandemic. "Our health care workers are doing their part. We are seeing businesses make sacrifices, and Gov. Ivey has faith in the people of Alabama to be smart as we wade through this health crisis," Maiola added. Alabama is among 21 states that have seen increases in their average daily coronavirus cases this week, according to data compiled by the Washington Post. Alabama, Oregon and South Carolina are among the states with the biggest increases. Alabama reported a 92% increase in its seven-day average; Oregon was up 83.8% and South Carolina, 60.3%, according to the Post data. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Growth of COVID-19 Cases in Alabama Slows Monday

After four days of dramatic increases, the growth in the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama slowed on Monday, the Alabama Department of Public Health reported. There were 657 new cases of the disease during the 24-hour period that ended at 10 a.m. Monday, the agency reported. That brought the state's total to 25,892 since the pandemic began in mid-March. Another 380 cases were believed to have been from COVID-19 but have not been confirmed. The report listed one new death from the virus, raising the overall total to 769, plus five that are believed to have been from the disease but have not been confirmed. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Health Officials Urge Public to Redouble Social Distancing Efforts as Cases in Alabama Shoot Up

State health officials are pressing the message that Alabamians need to protect themselves as COVID-19 cases in the state continue their sharp increase. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Another Record: Alabama Tops 1,000 New COVID Cases in One Day

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama rose sharply again Sunday, with state health officials reporting 1,014 new patients. The death toll for the disease remained at 768. The Alabama Department of Public has now confirmed 25,235 cases of the disease since the pandemic began in March. Another 380 people are believed to have COVID-19, but their cases are still being investigated. The statewide death toll for the disease was unchanged, according to the Health Department’s report for the period of 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. Five other deaths are believed to have been from COVID-19, but have not been confirmed. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Spread of COVID-19 in Alabama Continues Saturday at a Record Pace

The spread of COVID-19 cases in Alabama continued to accelerate Saturday, with state health officials reporting a third day of record numbers. In its daily update, the Alabama Department of Public Health said there were 888 new confirmed cases of the disease across the state, bringing the total to 24,221 since the pandemic began. The department had reported 859 new cases on Friday and 848 on Thursday, both records at the time. The new report, covering the period of 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, included four new deaths, bringing the statewide overall total to 768. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch