Health

Analysis | Alabama is going to need more ventilators. It seems to have no plan

It has been less than two weeks since Alabama reported its first positive case of the new novel coronavirus. Since then, the number has jumped to 242 positive cases. There are sure to be more. Several hospitals across the state, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health, are already nearing their capacity. At any … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 24, 2020

Opinion

How the coronavirus can upend a life in just a few days

The direct message on Twitter came from a familiar name, which made the contents a bit more unsettling. My cousin, Payton, was writing to let me know that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had all the symptoms — fever, a cough, achy all over. And he had been in and out of … Continued

Josh Moon

March 24, 2020

Sewell introduces bill to help rural hospitals during coronavirus pandemic

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, joined with Tennessee Republican Rep. Phil Roe and Washington Democratic Rep. Kim Schrier to introduce bipartisan legislation to provide relief for rural medical hospitals and clinics during the COVID-19 crisis. Sponsors claim that the Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act is necessary relief for rural hospitals and medical … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 24, 2020

Alabama Republicans upset with Jones’ “no” vote on coronavirus stimulus bill

Alabama Republican leaders on Monday condemned U.S. Sen. Doug Jones’ procedural vote to prevent the coronavirus stimulus bill from coming to a vote. On Sunday, Democrats blocked action on the comprehensive stimulus package — the third of the legislative response to the coronavirus outbreak. The bill is still being negotiated and the vote was not … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 24, 2020

Testing supplies remain scarce across Alabama, state health officer says

A lack of testing supplies continues to make it difficult to see the extent of COVID-19’s infection rate across Alabama, according to the state’s health officer. “Testing continues to be a concern for us,” said state health officer Dr. Scott Harris, speaking at a press conference in Montgomery on Monday. “One of our continuing problems … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 23, 2020

Alabama state health officer: “Some hospitals are already nearing capacity”

Alabama Department of Public Health officer Dr. Scott Harris, at a press conference Monday, again urged Alabamians to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and abide by social-distancing restrictions the state has ordered. A number of hospitals in the state are already “nearing capacity,” as the number of cases in Alabama continues to rise. As of … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 23, 2020

State will allow out-of-state doctors, assistants to work in Alabama during COVID-19 crisis

In an effort to bolster the state’s medical response to COVID-19, state health officials announced Monday that physicians and physician assistants with out-of-state medical licenses can now receive temporary permission to work in Alabama. The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensuare Commission have adopted emergency administrative rules to allow physicians and physician … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 23, 2020

Gov. Kay Ivey extends tax filing deadline until July 15

Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Revenue announced Monday an extension of the state income tax filing due date until July 15. “Taxpayers can also defer state income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed,” Ivey’s office said in a … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 23, 2020

Jefferson County orders more businesses closed amid COVID-19 crisis

The Jefferson County Department of Health on Sunday issued an update to its public health order, adding more restrictions and clarifying that a number of businesses need to close by Monday at 5 p.m. Jefferson County Health Officer, Dr. Mark Wilson, tightened his public health order Sunday, ordering that all hair salons and barbershops close … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 23, 2020

As hospitals take drastic action to conserve masks, staff worry they’re putting themselves and patients at risk

Some health care workers at DCH Health System’s facilities in Tuscaloosa County are being told not to wear personal protective equipment like masks as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state continues to rise and hospitals rush to prepare for what’s ahead. Now a clinician in one of these units is showing symptoms of … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 23, 2020