Author

Eddie Burkhalter

Eddie Burkhalter is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can email him at [email protected] or reach him via Twitter.

News / Health / State

Alabama prisons suspend visitations, start screening staff for COVID-19

The Alabama Department of Corrections has suspended visitations and begun screening staff for fever at state prisons due to concerns of COVID-19 entering the facilities. “We are closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19, and will be making additional operational and preventative decisions as this situation continues to evolve while keeping our primary directive – maintaining … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 19, 2020

Gulf Shores public beaches to close Friday morning

The Mayor of Gulf Shores will close public beaches Friday morning and is urging other local leaders and Gov. Kay Ivey to close the rest to prevent the continued spread of COVID-19. “We are facing unprecedented times here in the state of Alabama,” said Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft, speaking to NBC 15 News Thursday … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 19, 2020

University of Alabama goes online for rest of semester, commencement cancelled

The University of Alabama on Wednesday announced that students would not be returning to class after spring break, and commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors have been canceled. The university’s decision to take more drastic measures came as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continued to rise. There were 51 confirmed cases across the state … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 18, 2020

“It’s their choice. Individual freedom:” Alabama beaches to remain open for now

The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism president said that the families and college students at Alabama’s beaches this week are there by “individual choice.” As beaches in some parts of Florida closed in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Alabama’s coastline this week remained busy. Photos shared widely on social media show … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 18, 2020

Attorney general says runoff election can be postponed, rescheduled

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued an opinion Tuesday that Gov. Kay Ivey can reschedule the March 31 runoff election and the secretary of state can certify the results. Alabama’s Secretary of State John Merrill had asked for Marshall’s opinion, as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the state, prompting concern over exposing the … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020

Concerns over lack of tests, testing supplies makes getting a test difficult

On Sunday night, her son’s fever spiked, and in the morning he woke with body aches, a sore throat and a bad headache. The mother, a nurse practitioner in the Birmingham area, told APR on Tuesday that she’d spent the morning trying unsuccessfully to get her 10-year-old tested for COVID-19. She wasn’t able to, in … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020

UAB labs to start in-house COVID-19 testing by end of week

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s pathology lab is to start testing for COVID-19 using the laboratory’s own test by the end of the week. “This test should be available by the end of this week and will allow us to begin processing 100 tests per day,” said Dr. Sixto Leal, assistant professor of Pathology … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020

Redstone Arsenal pharmacy worker tests positive for COVID-19

A civilian employee at a pharmacy at Redstone Arsenal has tested positive for COVID-19, the U.S. Army announced Tuesday. The Madison County resident works at the Fox Army Health Center’s pharmacy, which has been closed until March 25, according to a press release. All other services in the health center will remain open. The person … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020

Jones sponsors bill for insurance plans to cover COVID-19 vaccines when they’re available

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, on Tuesday announced bipartisan legislation that would require health insurance plans to cover treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 whenever they should become available. There are currently no vaccines or medicines that treat or prevent infection. It could take a year to 18 months for a vaccine to be developed. “We … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Birmingham church closed

NOTE: We’re tracking testing site information here. A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at the Church of Highlands Grandview campus closed on Tuesday after thousands of cars clogged traffic on U.S. 280, Al.com reported. Attempts to reach church staff on Tuesday were unsuccessful, but Al.com reported that the heavy traffic was preventing staff and visitors access … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020