Alabama Department of Public Health

News / Health / State

Around Auburn, where officials had trouble controlling bars, a growing number of cases

UPDATE: The owner of the largest bar in Auburn has said they will not reopen this week, according to The Auburn Plainsman. Lee County, Alabama—the home of Auburn University, where officials have been having trouble discouraging young people from visiting bars—now has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 18, 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

More restaurant, bar limitations and public health measures ordered across Central Alabama

For more information about the closures, visit this page. Restaurants, bars, breweries and other foodservice establishments across six Central Alabama counties will no longer be allowed to serve food or drinks on-premises for at least a week. The order will take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The new public health guidelines come as the number … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 17, 2020

Roby updates constituents on COVID-19 situation

Monday, Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) provided guidance to constituents on the COVID-19 global pandemic that is spreading rapidly across our state and nation. “As our country moves forward with addressing the challenges associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is incumbent upon my office to provide the people of Alabama’s Second Congressional District with the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 17, 2020

Alabama hospital worker tests positive for coronavirus

An employee at East Alabama Medical Center in Lee County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a state health official said Monday. The positive test was added Sunday evening to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website, but the hospital announced Monday the person was a staff member. State health officer Dr. Scott Harris … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 16, 2020

Alabama health officials urge restaurants, churches to limit capacity, events

The Alabama Department of Public Health on Monday issued more restrictive guidance, cautioning against gatherings of more than 50 people and none if a person cannot stay at least 6 feet from others. The new recommendations also included a suggestion that the public should consider canceling or delaying out-of-state travel plans. The department’s recommendations come … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 16, 2020

You can vote absentee if you’re concerned about contracting or spreading coronavirus

Voters who are concerned about contracting or spreading an illness—including the novel coronavirus—can apply for an absentee ballot to vote in the upcoming primary runoff. The election will continue as planned, Secretary of State John Merill said. Merrill is in contact with local election officials in all 67 countries to encourage preventative measures to maintain … Continued

March 15, 2020

Montgomery County person Alabama’s first confirmed coronavirus case

Alabama’s first confirmed case of a person with the novel coronavirus was discovered Friday morning, state officials said. The person lives in Montgomery County and had traveled to another state that has a coronavirus outbreak, said State Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris in a press conference Friday. Harris didn’t say where the person had … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 13, 2020

Governor Ivey releases statement on Alabama’s first confirmed coronavirus case

Governor Kay Ivey on Friday, upon learning of Alabama’s first confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) case, released the following statement: “Along with my fellow Alabamians, I have closely monitored the rapidly changing events regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As a state, we have taken precautionary measures and made preparations in the case that the virus would eventually reach … Continued

Bill Britt

March 13, 2020

Lack of coronavirus testing in Alabama, across U.S. concerning, says Doug Jones

A lack of testing for coronavirus in Alabama and across the country means we don’t know how widespread the deadly virus already is, said U.S. Sen. Doug Jones on Thursday. Meanwhile, legislators in Montgomery on Thursday approved a $5 million appropriation to the Alabama Department of Public Health for “preparedness and response activities.” Alabama Sen. … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 13, 2020