Health

Twenty-seven new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Alabama Thursday, a 50 percent increase over the total Wednesday. The total number of novel coronavirus cases in the state is now 78. [visual-link-preview encoded=”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″] New cases were reported in several counties Thursday including Chambers, Walker, Talladega and Mobile Counties. Several cases were reported in Jefferson, Lee, … Continued

An administrative employee at a state prison has tested positive for COVID-19, and all staff who came into contact with the person are under a 14-day quarantine, the Alabama Department of Corrections announced Thursday. ADOC said in a statement that there are no positive COVID-19 cases “reported within the inmate population” but the statement did … Continued

UPDATE: Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health said Friday that this public health order issued Thursday is not meant to apply to work-related gatherings of 25 people or more. Read more about how this applies to businesses here. Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health on Thursday issued … Continued

Several Alabama hospitals say they are struggling with testing supply shortages amid growing demand for testing in the state and a rising number of cases in 14 Alabama counties. East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, near Auburn, and DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa both said Wednesday evening that they’re working hard to deal with hundreds … Continued

A teacher with the Elmore County School system has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the school system on Thursday.  “While it is unknown of the exact time the teacher contracted the virus, we are advised by the ADPH to contact everyone that she may have had contact with over the last two weeks,” Elmore … Continued

The Alabama Nursing Home Association said Thursday that two cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, have been confirmed in Alabama nursing homes, raising the fear that the virus is now spreading among some of Alabama’s most vulnerable. The cases are in Jefferson County at two separate nursing homes, APR confirmed. One … Continued

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

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

Grocery shelves are empty, no milk, toilet paper or eggs, and even grass-fed beef that sells for nine-dollars a pound is gone. But that’s not because there’s a lack of food, it’s because people are making panic-purchases and hoarding. We are better than that. “There’s plenty of food and plenty of things in the supply … Continued