Health

Alabama Power, other state utilities promise not to disconnect services for those impacted by COVID-19

Alabama Power and Spire will not disconnect customers impacted by the COVID-19 virus, the companies announced on Tuesday in a story on their news website. APCO said in the story that it has not disconnected any delinquent customers since the coronavirus pandemic was declared a state of emergency in Alabama on March 13, and that … Continued

Josh Moon

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

Senior shopping hours, earlier closing times: How businesses are navigating COVID-19

Closures, online grocery shopping and elderly-only shopping hours are just some of the ways that businesses are trying to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will be temporarily closing 78 ABC stores across the state in an effort to protect customers and employees from the coronavirus. The stores that … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

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

Gov. Ivey says state’s banks prepared for COVID-19

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday issued a statement expressing confidence in preparations made by Alabama’s banks in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am confident in the preparations and plans that our financial institutions have put in place,” Ivey said in the statement. “I also have significant confidence in the underlying health of our … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020

Lieutenant governor: The “best way for all of us to stand together is for all of us to stay apart”

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth on Tuesday released a video on social media platforms that outlines the serious threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the video, Ainsworth urges Alabamians to take the steps necessary to stop its further spread. “The best way to stop the spread of this virus is to isolate yourself as if … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 17, 2020

More restrictions on Alabama counties as COVID-19 cases increase

State health officials on Tuesday expanded an order limiting dine-in at restaurants and bars to include six counties. State health officer Dr. Scott Harris said at a press conference Tuesday that those businesses in Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Shelby counties are also ordered to refrain from serving in-house for one week. The … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 17, 2020