COVID-19

News / Elections / State

Club for Growth endorses Tommy Tuberville for U.S. Senate

Monday, Club for Growth PAC announced their endorsement of former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville for the Alabama Senate Republican primary runoff. Politico’s James Arkin published an exclusive report on the announcement. “Tommy Tuberville is a principled, free-market conservative who has the support of President Trump and has put together a great campaign to … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 18, 2020

With the outbreak of a global pandemic, the 2020 Census is still underway

In the wake of the global pandemic, COVID-19, which is affecting every state, Alabama is facing a unique challenge in getting its residents to fill out the 2020 Census. “Because we’re in a rural state, in some areas, people lack adequate internet access, and Census takers generally have a hard time following up with people … Continued

March 18, 2020

UAB infectious diseases specialist tests positive for COVID-19

A physician in UAB’s Division of Infectious Disease, one of the groups leading the state’s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, has tested positive for the virus. Dr. Mike Saag, a physician in the division, tested positive, UAB’s president said in a statement to the UAB community Tuesday evening. “He wishes to make his case … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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