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It’s make or break time: The math behind social distancing

John Atkinson is the public relations and marketing director at East Alabama Medical Center. On March 31, EAMC’s Chief of Staff Michael Roberts, M.D. used the Penn Medicine CHIME tool to look at where East Alabama Medical Center—and its collective communities—stand regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus and social distancing.  After sharing the resulting data with his … Continued
April 4, 2020

Federal law strengthens food stamps during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has left thousands of Alabamians without work and in desperate need of food assistance, and the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law in March strengthened food assistance just as the public is being told to stay home to prevent the virus’s spread.  Alabama Arise, a statewide nonprofit that advocates … Continued
April 4, 2020

840 hospitalized with confirmed, suspected COVID-19 in Alabama

More than 800 people are hospitalized in Alabama with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. State Health Officer Scott Harris said Friday evening that 255 people are hospitalized with a confirmed positive case of the virus. An additional 586 people are hospitalized with a suspected case of … Continued
April 3, 2020

Governor: More than 200 health care workers infected with COVID-19

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Friday at a press conference that 200 health care workers in the state have contracted COVID-19. The governor reported that number while announcing a new statewide stay-at-home order that will go into effect on Saturday, April 4, at 5 p.m. It will remain in effect until April 30. “Those people … Continued
April 3, 2020

Alabama nursing homes struggle to get COVID-19 tests, results

There are more than 1,000 outstanding COVID-19 tests among Alabama nursing home residents and staff, and many homes are having difficulty getting the tests, according to the Alabama Nursing Home Association.  John Matson, communications director for the Alabama Nursing Home Association, told APR on Friday that the association is asking the Center for Disease Control … Continued
April 3, 2020

Alabama institutions of higher learning respond to COVID-19 pandemic

Thursday, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education reported that throughout Alabama higher education is responding to the call for help during the Coronavirus pandemic. The support has been widespread from food supplies to equipment needs. “I am heartened by the generosity of college and university staff and students in supporting their community, hospitals and healthcare … Continued
April 3, 2020

Fifty major American companies join effort to fight the coronavirus

Wednesday, the White House announced that fifty major American firms have answered the White House’s call to join the national war on the coronavirus. “The private sector is responding to President Trump’s call to step up and help combat the coronavirus,” the White House said Tuesday. Many of the companies are shifting their focus and … Continued
April 3, 2020

Alabama hospitals facing “dire” equipment shortages

Every morning the team at UAB Hospital gets a report on the number of patients who come into the hospital infected with COVID-19 and their status. Then the doctors and other health care professions on the team receive an update on the number of days they have left before their supply of personal protective equipment … Continued
April 2, 2020