On March 18, statewide health order prohibited all non-work related gatherings of 25+ persons or any non-work related gatherings that cannot maintain consistent six-foot spacing between people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbrc.com/2020/03/19/governor-ivey-issues-statewide-health-order/|title=Governor Ivey, ADPH issue statewide health order|last=Staff|first=WBRC|website=www.wbrc.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|author=WSFA Staff|title=Alabama coronavirus cases climb to 39; Closures ordered in some counties|url=https://www.wsfa.com/2020/03/17/adph-update-public-covid-am/|access-date=2020-03-17|website=WSFA|language=en-US}}</ref> Public and private beaches closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2020/03/gov-kay-ivey-closes-alabama-beaches-because-of-coronavirus.html|title=Ivey closes all Alabama beaches both public and private because of coronavirus|date=2020-03-19|website=al|language=en|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> Alabama's Primary Runoff Election was postponed to July 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2020/03/governor-ivey-announces-new-primary-runoff-election-date/|title=Governor Ivey Announces New Primary Runoff Election Date|date=2020-03-18|website=Office of the Governor of Alabama|language=en|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref>
On March 18, a statewide health order prohibited all non-work related gatherings of 25+ persons or any non-work related gatherings that cannot maintain consistent six-foot spacing between people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbrc.com/2020/03/19/governor-ivey-issues-statewide-health-order/|title=Governor Ivey, ADPH issue statewide health order|last=Staff|first=WBRC|website=www.wbrc.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|author=WSFA Staff|title=Alabama coronavirus cases climb to 39; Closures ordered in some counties|url=https://www.wsfa.com/2020/03/17/adph-update-public-covid-am/|access-date=2020-03-17|website=WSFA|language=en-US}}</ref> Public and private beaches closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2020/03/gov-kay-ivey-closes-alabama-beaches-because-of-coronavirus.html|title=Ivey closes all Alabama beaches both public and private because of coronavirus|date=2020-03-19|website=al|language=en|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> Alabama's Primary Runoff Election was postponed to July 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2020/03/governor-ivey-announces-new-primary-runoff-election-date/|title=Governor Ivey Announces New Primary Runoff Election Date|date=2020-03-18|website=Office of the Governor of Alabama|language=en|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref>
On March 20, Gov. Ivey authorized up to 100 Alabama National Guard members to assist with response "if it becomes necessary".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abc3340.com/news/local/governor-ivey-authorizes-national-guard-to-help-with-covid-19-if-necessary|title=Governor Ivey authorizes National Guard to help with COVID-19 operations if necessary|last=Helean|first=Jack|date=2020-03-20|website=WBMA|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> The Alabama Department of Public Health refined guidance on public gatherings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/news/2020/03/20.html|title=State Health Officer issues amended health order suspending public gatherings {{!}} Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)|website=Alabama Department of Public Health|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> [[Auburn University]] announced postponement of its spring graduation ceremony and a move to fully online classes after spring break.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs42.com/news/health/coronavirus/auburn-university-postpones-spring-graduation-ceremony-resuming-online-only-classes-after-break/|title=Auburn University postpones spring graduation ceremony, resuming online-only classes after break|date=2020-03-20|website=CBS 42|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-23}}</ref>
On March 20, Gov. Ivey authorized up to 100 Alabama National Guard members to assist with response "if it becomes necessary".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abc3340.com/news/local/governor-ivey-authorizes-national-guard-to-help-with-covid-19-if-necessary|title=Governor Ivey authorizes National Guard to help with COVID-19 operations if necessary|last=Helean|first=Jack|date=2020-03-20|website=WBMA|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> The Alabama Department of Public Health refined guidance on public gatherings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/news/2020/03/20.html|title=State Health Officer issues amended health order suspending public gatherings {{!}} Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)|website=Alabama Department of Public Health|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> [[Auburn University]] announced postponement of its spring graduation ceremony and a move to fully online classes after spring break.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs42.com/news/health/coronavirus/auburn-university-postpones-spring-graduation-ceremony-resuming-online-only-classes-after-break/|title=Auburn University postpones spring graduation ceremony, resuming online-only classes after break|date=2020-03-20|website=CBS 42|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-23}}</ref>
Revision as of 13:56, 7 June 2020
Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Alabama, United States
COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama
Map of the outbreak in Alabama by confirmed new infections per 100,000 people over 14 days (last updated March 2021)
1,000+
500–1,000
200–500
100–200
50–100
20–50
10–20
0–10
No confirmed new cases or no/bad data
Map of the outbreak in Alabama by confirmed total infections per 100,000 people (last updated March 2021)
Notes: On May 5th, the ADPH ceased reporting of statistics. Fatality data continues to be sent to the CDC.
Cases: The number of cases confirmed in Alabama. Deaths: The number of deaths confirmed by the ADPH. There are additional non-confirmed deaths reported by the ADPH. Sources:ADPH; dashboard;
CDC
On January 22, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) asked healthcare providers to conduct screening of patients seeking care for influenza-like illnesses with travel to Wuhan, China, and said the "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) continues to believe the risk of 2019-nCoV to the American public at large remains low at this time."[3]
On February 4, the Alabama Department of Public Health asked travelers to mainland China who returned to the United States on or after January 22, 2020 to contact the Infectious Diseases and Outbreaks Division as soon as they arrive in Alabama.[4] On the same day, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey delivered the "State of the State" address, with no mention of COVID-19.[5][6]
On February 28, the Alabama Department of Public Health recommended individuals protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting a flu shot and "other normal precautions".[9]
On March 2, the Alabama Department of Public Health advised individuals to "wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home when you are ill, and practice social distancing strategies". ADPH also asked universities and colleges to implement plans to mitigate the spread of disease on their campuses.[10] On March 5, the Alabama Department of Public Health announced state laboratory capability of COVID-19 testing and criteria for testing eligibility.[11] March6 saw the formation of the Alabama Coronavirus task force.[12]
Governor Ivey said: "There's no need to panic or close huge events right now." She asked Alabamans to wash hands, cover coughs, and fist bump instead of shaking hands.[13]
Timeline of outbreak
March 2020
March 12–16
On March 13, Alabama announced its first known cases of coronavirus in a person who had recently traveled from Illinois, and by the end of the day the state reported six cases total.[14][15][16]
That same day, Governor Ivey declared a state of emergency due to the spread of the coronavirus, and announced that all schools would be closed from March 18 until April 6.[17][18]
On March 15, Gov. Ivey authorized state agency directors to implement work from home and flexible work schedules.[19] On March 16, the Alabama Department of Public Health announced recommendations concerning public gatherings, food establishment and other retail venues, and businesses, including no mass gatherings of 50+ persons or more.[20]
March 18–20
On March 18, a statewide health order prohibited all non-work related gatherings of 25+ persons or any non-work related gatherings that cannot maintain consistent six-foot spacing between people.[21][22] Public and private beaches closed.[23] Alabama's Primary Runoff Election was postponed to July 14.[24]
On March 20, Gov. Ivey authorized up to 100 Alabama National Guard members to assist with response "if it becomes necessary".[25] The Alabama Department of Public Health refined guidance on public gatherings.[26]Auburn University announced postponement of its spring graduation ceremony and a move to fully online classes after spring break.[27]
March 22–25
On March 24, Birmingham issued a stay-at-home order (as a 24-hour curfew) effective through April 3.[28] The first death in the state was reported in Jackson County.[29]Tuscaloosa city mayor Walt Maddox issued a city-wide curfew, lasting from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. each day, effective March 27 to April 3.[30]
March 26–27
At a March 26 press conference, Ivey said she would not issue a shelter-in-place order, saying "...we are not Louisiana, we are not New York state, we are not California... right now is not the time to order people to shelter in place."[31] Tuscaloosa extended its city-wide curfew to 24 hours, beginning March 29 at 10:00 p.m., set to last an additional week. The Tuscaloosa stay-at-home order (the second in the state) came after Alabama Attorney GeneralSteve Marshall's opinion published on the same day that provided cities and counties with more authority to combat the pandemic.[32]
On March 27, all "non-essential businesses" in the state were ordered to be closed until April 17, including barbershops, furniture stores, gyms, casinos, theaters, arcades, night clubs, salons and spas. ABC stores would remain open. Governor Ivey again refused to issue a state-wide shelter-in-place order, saying "I have the responsibility to look statewide and in this case, one size does not fit all" and that she has to "keep an eye on the economy"; she added that she would not object to county and city-level containment efforts.[33]Montgomery mayor Steven Reed enacted an indefinite, 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew beginning on March 27.[34]
The Alabama Department of Labor reported that 59,783 people filed for unemployment from March 22 to March 26, a five-fold growth over the previous week.[35]
Archbishop Thomas John Rodi of the Archdiocese of Mobile and Bishop Robert Joseph Baker of the Diocese of Birmingham continued the suspension of public Mass in Alabama through April 18, meaning no Easter Sunday Mass on April 12, in what Rodi called a "painful decision". Baker and Rodi initially issued the suspension of public Mass on March 17.[36]
March 28–29
By March 28, the virus was confirmed in at least six nursing homes in the state.[37] Governor Ivey announced on the 28th that Apple donated 63,000 N95 masks for Alabama healthcare providers.[38]
Residents in the Opelika area were holding a "Park and Pray" service twice daily in support of the hospital staff at the East Alabama Medical Center, at the time the only hospital reporting COVID-19 deaths.[39][40]
April 2020
April 1–2
Alabama was projected by models on April 2 to have the fourth-highest rate of COVID-19 fatalities in the nation.[41] In response, Ivey ordered a fifth Supplemental State of Emergency (the third was on March 23 and the fourth was on March 27) to reduce red tape for healthcare providers, including allowing certified registered nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, physician assistants, and anesthesia assistants to practice in a licensed health care facility. She also ordered the state board to adopt emergency rules to allow expedited reinstatement of medical licenses; moved to expand the capacity of health care facilities, and moved to allow local jails release probation or parole violators who have been in custody for more than 20 days without a hearing.[42]
It was reported that every day since March 23, the ADPH was sharing a list of addresses of confirmed COVID-19 patients with the Alabama 911 Board to disseminate to local 911 response districts, reportedly to protect first responders from becoming infected—a possible breach of patient confidentiality law. (Massachusetts) was the only other state known to be doing this at the time. The 911 Board said the policy was implemented after numerous state agencies expressed concerns about protecting first responders.[43]
April 3–4
On April 3, Ivey issued a statewide stay-at-home order until April 30.[44]Mobile followed suit with an order effective until April 30.[45]
By the morning of April 18, according to the ADPH, there were 146 reported deaths, 113 confirmed deaths, more than 4,600 confirmed cases, with 42,500 people tested.[47] On April 19, National Guard does first nursing home disinfect and decontamination process for COVID-19 and plans on going to do more nursing homes across the state.[48]
On March 22, Mobicon, an annual fan convention held in Mobile announced that the 2020 iteration of the convention scheduled for the last weekend of May had been postponed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[citation needed]
Statistics
Demographics
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
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COVID-19 portal