Health

Alabama Democratic Party chair: “Where systemic racism endures there are no winners”

The Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party on Monday called for Alabamians to come together to address systemic racism and inequality in the wake of the death of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. “I am angry and I am hurt. Unfortunately, I am not shocked,” said state Representative and Chair of the … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 1, 2020

Alabama’s Missing and Endangered Person Alert goes into effect today

Beginning today, Alabama’s Missing Senior Alert becomes the state’s Missing and Endangered Person Alert, and includes a broader coverage of those who may be in danger. The previous Missing Senior Alert issued alerts for those who may have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and while the Amber Alerts and Emergency Missing Child alerts can be called … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 1, 2020

Unified Command Center at heart of COVID-19 response

Alabama’s fight against the coronavirus is headed from the Unified Command center, a “war room” set up by the governor, where 175 state employees lead Alabama’s response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Unified Command Center is located in the RSA Tower in downtown Montgomery. Alabama’s Unified Command for COVID-19 Response is a team comprised … Continued

Brandon Moseley

June 1, 2020

Three more prison workers, another inmate test positive for COVID-19

Three more prison workers have tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the sixth prison worker to self-report positive test results in two days. Additionally, a man serving at the St. Clair Correctional Facility also tested positive for the virus, the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) announced in a Friday press release. Three workers at the Julia … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 29, 2020

Tuscaloosa mayor: “We have entered into a danger zone” as hospitalizations rise

While Montgomery County and the River Region of Central Alabama remain the top area of concern for state officials responding to COVID-19, Tuscaloosa County is showing signs of a worsening outbreak as cases and hospitalizations spike. “We have entered into a danger zone,” said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in an interview. “And if we continue … Continued

Chip Brownlee

May 29, 2020

Less than 1 percent of Alabama inmates have been tested for COVID-19

As the number of prison workers in Alabama who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 continues to rise, the number of cases among inmates in the state’s dangerously overcrowded prisons has remained flat, and that likely comes down to testing. Inmates in Alabama are only tested if they are exhibiting symptoms and a physician recommends the test. … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 29, 2020

Three more prison workers test positive for COVID-19, testing of inmates remains low

Two workers at the Bullock Correctional Facility and one employee at the Kilby Correctional Facility have tested positive for COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Thursday evening. The latest confirmed cases among staff bring the total of COVID-19 cases among prison workers to 58. Twelve of those workers have since recovered, the Alabama Department … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 28, 2020

League of Women Voters of Alabama sue over voting amid COVID-19 pandemic

The League of Women Voters of Alabama on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Gov. Kay Ivey, Secretary of State John Merrill and several Montgomery County election officials asking the court to expand Alabama’s absentee voting and relax other voting measures amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The nonprofit is joined in the suit by 10 plaintiffs who … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 28, 2020

Two patients at Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center die from COVID-19

Two patients at the state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center have died from COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Mental Health confirmed to APR on Thursday. There remained 17 active coronavirus cases among patients at the state-run facility, said ADMH spokeswoman Malissa Valdes-Hubert in a message Thursday. One patient at the facility has recovered from … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 28, 2020

Alabama health officer: More testing doesn’t account for spike in cases

Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said Thursday that the spike in new COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks is not totally attributable to increased testing and that the Alabama Department of Public Health believes there is ongoing, widespread community transmission of the virus. “We’re extraordinarily concerned about the numbers that we have … Continued

Chip Brownlee

May 28, 2020