Fortified for the Challenge
Mountain Brook Creamery shares encouraging words at its store in Mountain Brook Village.
coronavirus
COVID-19 Cases Up by 187, Four More Die
Alabama had 6,213 confirmed cases of COVID-19 early Sunday, 187 cases more than the day before. Deaths in the state also rose by four, to 213. Another 71 people were hospitalized, bringing the total number of people hospitalized since the pandemic began to 840, according to Alabama Department of Public Health data. Read more.
Alabama Lags Coronavirus Testing Rate Advised to Begin Reopening
As Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says increased coronavirus testing is needed to consider lifting pandemic protocols, data show the state lags behind most of its Southeast neighbors in testing. Alabama had tested 1.07% of its population as of April 24 through a combination of public, private and academic testing labs, according to an analysis of Department of Public Health data. A new Harvard study suggests the state would need to increase its testing more than threefold to get an adequate handle on the coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, UAB’s Division of Infectious Diseases director, said Alabama has yet to see a downturn in new cases, though increases have slowed somewhat. “We’re continuing to see probably a 5% increase in cases every day,” Marrazzo said. “It’s not trivial in a state with a relatively small population that is doing limited testing. It’s definitely not over yet. It’s too early to say that we have reached our peak.” Marrazzo is also concerned about the distribution of tests in the state, as areas such as the Black Belt and the Wiregrass are charting lower testing rates than more urban counties. Alabama needs more diagnostic data to be strategic in the coming weeks, and the majority of its 67 counties have tested less than 1% of residents. Read more.
UAB Hospital Losing $70 Million Per Month Due to COVID Restrictions
UAB Hospital is taking a financial hit from COVID-19. Officials announced Friday a projected loss of $70 million per month due to fewer clinical visits, elective surgeries and hospital stays. Read more.
COVID-19 Cases Top 6,000
The count of COVID-19 cases in Alabama had risen to 6,026 by early Saturday morning, and deaths to 209. Read more.
Alabama Unemployment Claims Top 330K Since Coronavirus
Alabamians filed 331,670 unemployment claims in a four-week period that began in mid-March, the Alabama Department of Labor said Thursday. During the week of April 12-18, 66,432 initial unemployment claims were made, with 59,527 of those related to loss of work because of the coronavirus, according to ADOL. Manufacturing jobs accounted for 9,770 of those claims, followed by accommodations and food services with 6,685 and retail trade with 5,540. Health care and social assistance accounted for 5,367 of the claims. Read more.
Inside Alabama’s Prisons, Fear of a Coronavirus Outbreak
Alabama corrections officials recently reported the first inmate death related to COVID-19. With several prisoners and staff members testing positive for the virus, those inside Alabama prisons worry this is just the tip of the iceberg. Read more.
Long List of Issues Fall by the Wayside as Virus Upends Session
MONTGOMERY — Less than three months ago, medical marijuana, education reform and a state lottery were expected to be headlining issues of 2020 legislative session. Projections for increased tax revenue meant larger General Fund and education budgets for 2021 and raises for state employees and teachers were anticipated. But when the new coronavirus interrupted daily life, it also upended the state’s economy and this year's regular legislative session. Read more.
COVID-19 Case Count Rises to 5,832
Alabama reported 5,832 confirmed cases of COVID-19 early Friday morning, an increase of 155 from the day before, and deaths remained stable at 197. Read more.
COVID-19 Positive Homeless Can Be Quarantined at Former Salvation Army Building, Jefferson County Commission Says
“Steve, we hear you. Can you hear us?” As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the state, the Jefferson County Commission continues to hold its meetings via videoconference, shown live on Facebook. Sometimes it takes a little while for everyone to get online, as when Commission President Jimmie Stephens was trying to get through to Commissioner Steve Ammons before the meeting began Thursday morning. But they do eventually get together, as they did today for a meeting dominated by the pandemic and its effects on the county. The agenda of regular business filled just a handful of pages thanks to the shutdown of nearly all government functions. The only item of new business was approval to use the former Salvation Army facility in the northern part of downtown Birmingham as a place for homeless people who test positive for COVID-19 to stay. The facility would be used on an as-needed basis. Read more.