MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s improving COVID-19 vaccination rates are offering a glimmer of hope to medical officials as the state continues to see a crush of virus patients in hospitals. But there is also concern about what is coming as the state moves through Labor Day weekend gatherings, the start of football season and other potentially virus-spreading events. State…
DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) — A federal team of health care workers is being sent to a southwest Alabama hospital seeing a surge in COVID-19 patients. State Health Officer Scott Harris said Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is sending a task force team to Southeast Medical Center in Dothan. Alabama is seeing a surge in COVID-19…
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A “tidal wave” of COVID-19 cases is putting severe stress on Alabama hospitals, medical officials said Thursday, adding the state will likely soon surpass the previous record for hospitalizations. “We need Alabamians to understand we are in a difficult position right now. We are seeing case numbers again as high as we have ever seen,” State…
As of last Friday, the positivity rate in Alabama was 24%. Some counties have as high as 40% positivity rate.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s mask mandate expires on April 9, but the recommendation to wear masks is continuing. State Health Officer Scott Harris said people should continue to take precautions, including wearing masks when in public. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday extended Alabama’s mask order through the evening of April 9, but said after that she will let…
On Thursday, January 21, Governor Kay Ivey announced she will extend the mandatory mask order. The mask order will be extended until March 5. Health officials urged Governor Ivey to extend the mask order that was set to expire Friday, January 22. July 15, 2020 is when the mask order was first implemented. Alabama this week began making vaccines available to…
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama Department of Public Health says the state’s infant mortality rate rose last year but remains among the lowest the state has recorded in more than 50 years. A statement from the agency says the state’s rate last year was 7.7 deaths for every 1,000 live births. That was above the rate the year before…
Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris have just updated Alabama’s Safer at Home Order to abolish restrictions on occupancy rates. The order is effective immediately and applies to retail stores, gyms and fitness centers and entertainment venues. An exception to social distancing guidelines is allowed for barbershops, hair salons, gyms, and restaurants if people wear mask…
Alabama has added more than 5,000 coronavirus cases over the last 14 days as the state began lifting restrictions. As of Wednesday, more than 15,000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Alabama and 581 have died. State Health Officer Scott Harris said an increase in testing is behind part of the increase, but that doesn’t explain all of…
Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris want to remind people across Alabama, and in Montgomery especially, that they need to continue to protect themselves against COVID-19. Some reports say that Montgomery could become a national hot spot for cases. “Let me be abundantly clear: the threat of COVID-19 remains. Montgomery, Alabama has been identified as a…
