| COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama | |
|---|---|
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Alabama, U.S. |
| Index case | Montgomery County |
| Arrival date | March 13, 2020 |
| Confirmed cases | 191,408[1] |
| Suspected cases‡ | 36,965 |
| Hospitalized cases | 1,575 (current) 23,449 (cumulative) |
| Critical cases | 1,211 (cumulative) |
| Ventilator cases | 654 (cumulative) |
| Recovered | 90,702 |
Deaths | 3,148 (confirmed) 303 (probable) |
| Government website | |
| Alabama Department of Public Health | |
| ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out. | |
| Part of a series on the |
| COVID-19 pandemic |
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 Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of SARS-CoV-2. Each "ball" is an atom. |
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The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Alabama in March 2020. As of January 10, 2022, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADHP) reported nearly a million confirmed cases of COVID-19 (or 1 in 5 people) and 16,630 confirmed deaths. At 330 deaths per 100,000 Alabama has the highest death rate in the US along with Mississippi.[2][3]
As of February 8, 2021, Alabama has administered 473,199 COVID-19 vaccine doses, equivalent to 9.59% of the population.[4]
Early 2020 preparations
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."[5]
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.[6] On the same day, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey delivered the "State of the State" address, with no mention of COVID-19.[7][8]
On February 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that an Anniston facility would be used as a COVID-19 quarantine center; those plans were cancelled two days later.[9][10]
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".[11]
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.[12] On March 5, the Alabama Department of Public Health announced state laboratory capability of COVID-19 testing and criteria for testing eligibility.[13] March 6 saw the formation of the Alabama Coronavirus task force.[14] Governor Ivey said: "There's no need to panic or close huge events right now." She asked Alabamians to wash hands, cover coughs, and fist bump instead of shaking hands.[15]
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.[16][17][18] 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.[19][20]
On March 15, Gov. Ivey authorized state agency directors to implement work from home and flexible work schedules.[21] On March 16, the Alabama Department of Public Health announced recommendations concerning public gatherings, food establishment and other retail venues, and businesses, including no gatherings of 50 or more person.[22]
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.[23][24] Public and private beaches closed.[25] Alabama's Primary Runoff Election was postponed to July 14.[26]
On March 20, Gov. Ivey authorized up to 100 Alabama National Guard members to assist with response "if it becomes necessary".[27] The Alabama Department of Public Health refined guidance on public gatherings.[28] Auburn University announced postponement of its spring graduation ceremony and a move to fully online classes after spring break.[29]
March 22–25
On March 24, Birmingham issued a stay-at-home order (as a 24-hour curfew) effective through April 3.[30] The first death in the state was reported in Jackson County.[31] 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.[32]
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."[33] 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 General Steve Marshall's opinion published on the same day that provided cities and counties with more authority to combat the pandemic.[34]
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.[35] Montgomery mayor Steven Reed enacted an indefinite, 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew beginning on March 27.[36]
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.[37]
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.[38]
March 28–29
By March 28, the virus was confirmed in at least six nursing homes in the state.[39] Governor Ivey announced on the 28th that Apple donated 63,000 N95 masks for Alabama healthcare providers.[40]
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.[41][42]
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.[43] 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 to release probation or parole violators who have been in custody for more than 20 days without a hearing.[44]
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.[45]
April 3–4
On April 3, Ivey issued a statewide stay-at-home order until April 30.[46] Mobile followed suit with an order effective until April 30.[47]
Also on April 3, Ivey issued a proclamation that granted temporary protection from enforcement of evictions and foreclosures, but that order expired on June 1.[48][49][50]
Montgomery County authorities reported that they received 5,880 surgical masks from the Strategic National Stockpile with a 2010 expiration date; the masks reportedly had dry rot and were useless.[51]
April 18–19
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.[52] On April 19, the National Guard did its first nursing home disinfect and decontamination process for COVID-19.[53]
June 2020
In early June, the Alabama Department of Public Health dashboard under-reported new cases. On June 4, they claimed, "the national surveillance pipeline is becoming overwhelmed," by a large increase in test results. On June 6, they claimed, "As a result of a reporting backlog, this dashboard appears to display sizeable increases in all numbers."[54] In late May, the caseload had been growing at an average of 3% per day. The cases posted on June 7 did not make up the difference unless there had been a decline in growth as state businesses opened in May.
At least five University of Alabama football players tested positive for COVID-19.[55]
On June 16, 2020, the city council of Montgomery controversially voted 4–4 on an ordinance to require that masks be worn in public gatherings of 25 people or more. The next day, by the advice of health officials, Mayor Steven Reed overruled the tie vote and enacted the mandate via executive order.[56]
By June 24, 2020, there were 31,624 cases and 879 deaths.
July 2020
On July 15, Governor Ivey announced that face masks would be mandatory state-wide in public spaces when within six feet of a person from another household, beginning July 16 at 5:00 p.m. local time. This is an amendment to the Safer at Home order.[57]
August 2020
Classes resumed at the University of Alabama on August 17, and 566 cases were reported at the different campuses on August 24. The university offered a hybrid of online and in-person classes. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox closed bars for two weeks in response.[58]
December 2020
Governor Kay Ivey extended a mandatory mask order to January 22 as the state hits a record 2,000 hospitalizations and 3,395 new infections on December 8. The state has a total 280,000 proven and probable cases and 4,000 virus-related deaths.[59]
June 2021
As Alabama was one of five U.S. states with less than 35% of its population vaccinated, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, predicted the state was at risk for outbreaks of the Delta variant.[60]
Impact on sports
On March 12, the National Collegiate Athletic Association canceled all winter and spring tournaments, most notably the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, affecting colleges and universities statewide.[61] On March 16, the National Junior College Athletic Association also canceled the remainder of the winter seasons as well as the spring seasons.[62]
The 2021 World Games in Birmingham, originally scheduled for July 15–25, 2021, was postponed to July 7–17, 2022.[63]
Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Nick Saban and his Nick's Kids Foundation donated to food banks, contributed to the 211 program, provided meals to DCH Regional Medical Center workers, and filmed PSAs.[64]
The debut of the Minor League Baseball team, the Rocket City Trash Pandas, was scheduled for April 9, 2020, but was postponed indefinitely, but on June 30 MILB announced that the 2020 season will not be played.[65]
The NTT IndyCar Series was scheduled to race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham on April 5, but on March 16 the race was cancelled for the 2020 season only.
NASCAR Race Weekended at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega was scheduled to race on April 24–26 but was reschedule to June 19–21. NASCAR also made a second race in the fall at the track for the Xfinity Series. It has not been decided yet if fans can attend the fall race weekend or not (Fan were allowed to attend the fall race), the Cup Series spring race in June was allowed to have a limited number of spectators at the track.
Impact on events
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 COVID-19 pandemic.[66]
Statistics
Demographics
See also
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States – for impact on the country
- COVID-19 pandemic – for worldwide impact
References
- ↑ "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". www.alabamapublichealth.gov.
- ↑ "outbreak.info". outbreak.info. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ↑ "United States COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer". www.worldometers.info. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ↑ "Alabama's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard". Alabama Department of Public Health. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ↑ "ADPH joins with CDC and other state health departments to prevent the spread of new coronavirus | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "ADPH initiates monitoring activities for travelers from mainland China for 2019-nCoV | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "Governor Ivey Delivers 2020 State of the State Address". Alabama News. February 5, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ↑ Ivey, Kay (February 4, 2020). 2020 State of the State Address (PDF) (Speech). Alabama State Capitol. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ↑ "Governor Kay Ivey: President Trump cancels plans for cruise ship coronavirus quarantine in Alabama". WKRG News 5. February 23, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ WBRC Staff (February 23, 2020). "Anniston city leaders blindsided by plan to use local FEMA facility as part of Coronavirus quarantine". WAFF. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ↑ "ADPH recommends flu shot and other normal precautions amid COVID-19 outbreak | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama is prepared for COVID-19; supports CDC recommendations for returning travelers | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "ADPH state laboratory now tests for novel coronavirus COVID-19 | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ WTOK (March 6, 2020). "Ivey establishes Coronavirus Task Force". www.wtok.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "'There's no need to panic:' Gov. Kay Ivey urges coronavirus calm for Alabamians". WAAY News. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ Thusius, Ashley (March 13, 2020). "Alabama's first coronavirus case confirmed in Montgomery County". Waaytv.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama identifies first 2 cases of coronavirus COVID-19 | WBMA". Abc3340.com. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ↑ Chandler, Kim (March 14, 2020). "Alabama declares emergency, closes schools as first cases of coronavirus found". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
- ↑ "State of emergency declared in Alabama, 1 coronavirus case confirmed in Jefferson County". WDHN - DothanFirst.com. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "Live updates: K–12 schools to close; six coronavirus cases in Alabama". AL.com. March 12, 2020.
- ↑ Ivey, Governor Kay (March 15, 2020). "Effective on Monday, March 16, I will be authorizing agency directors to implement telework, flexible work schedules, and practice social distancing for the next three weeks. #alpolitics #COVID19". @GovernorKayIvey. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "ADPH offers new recommendations regarding public gatherings in response to COVID-19 | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ WBRC Staff (March 20, 2020). "Governor Ivey, ADPH issue statewide health order". www.wbrc.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ WSFA Staff. "Alabama coronavirus cases climb to 39; Closures ordered in some counties". WSFA. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ↑ "Ivey closes all Alabama beaches both public and private because of coronavirus". al. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "Governor Ivey Announces New Primary Runoff Election Date". Office of the Governor of Alabama. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ↑ Helean, Jack (March 20, 2020). "Governor Ivey authorizes National Guard to help with COVID-19 operations if necessary". WBMA. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "State Health Officer issues amended health order suspending public gatherings | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)". Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ↑ "Auburn University postpones spring graduation ceremony, resuming online-only classes after break". CBS 42. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ↑ "City of Birmingham under Shelter in Place in order". WBRC. March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama reports first coronavirus death as cases near 400". timesfreepress.com. March 26, 2020.
- ↑ "Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox issues curfew for city". WBRC. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Ivey says 'right now is not the time' for Alabama-wide shelter-in-place order". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ↑ "Maddox extends Tuscaloosa's curfew to 24 hours, citing 'rapidly developing situation'". AL.com. March 26, 2020.
- ↑ "All 'non-essential businesses' closed statewide until April 17; Ivey doesn't issue shelter-in-place". AL.com. March 27, 2020.
- ↑ "Montgomery mayor enacts indefinite, seven-hour curfew starting 10 p.m. tonight". AL.com. March 27, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama unemployment claims surge to 60,000 this week as coronavirus creates economic havoc". AL.com. March 27, 2020.
- ↑ "Bishops call off public Mass for Easter in Alabama". AL.com. March 27, 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus confirmed in six Alabama nursing homes". AL.com. March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus supplies: Apple donates 63,000 N-95 masks to Alabama". AL.com. March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ↑ "Community holds 'Park and Pray' twice daily at East Alabama Medical Center — 'God is in this'". Yellowhammer News. March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ↑ "Death toll from coronavirus rises in Auburn area, Alabama now has at least 10 deaths". AL.com. March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama projected to have the fourth-highest rate of COVID-19 fatalities in nation". ABC 3340. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ↑ "Gov. Ivey issues Supplemental State of Emergency to cut red tape for healthcare providers". ABC 3340. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama sharing addresses of coronavirus patients with 911 responders". AL.com. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ↑ Gore, Leada (April 3, 2020). "Stay-at-home order issued for Alabama: What you can and can't do". al.com. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ↑ Acosta, Leslie (April 3, 2020). "Mayor Stimpson announces stay-at-home order for Mobile". WEAR-TV. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ↑ "COVID-19 Housing Policy Scorecard for Alabama". Eviction Lab. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ↑ "Sixth Supplemental State of Emergency: Coronavirus (COVID-19)". Office of the Governor of Alabama. April 3, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ↑ "Tenth Supplemental State of Emergency: Coronavirus (COVID-19)". Office of the Governor of Alabama. May 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ↑ Deese, Kaelan (April 3, 2020). "Alabama county received 5,000 rotted masks from national stockpile". The Hill.
- ↑ "113 confirmed deaths, over 4,600 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alabama". WSFA. April 18, 2020.
- ↑ Ashley Bowerman (April 19, 2020). "Alabama National Guard conducts first nursing home COVID-19 decontamination mission". WSFA12news. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama's COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard". Alabama's COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard. Alabama Department of Public Health. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ↑ Martin, Tyler (June 4, 2020). "Multiple Alabama Football Players Test Positive for COVID-19". si.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ↑ "Montgomery ordinance to mandate masks fails". WKRG News 5. June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama governor announces statewide mask mandate as coronavirus cases continue to climb". WVTM. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- ↑ Choi, Inyoung (August 25, 2020). "6 days after reopening, the University of Alabama has over 500 coronavirus cases. Now the student newspaper is telling the administration: 'We won't be your PR.'". news.yahoo.com. Business Insider. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ↑ "Alabama governor extends mask order into January amid COVID surge". cbsnews.com. CBS News. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ↑ Holcombe, Madeline (June 28, 2021). "The Delta variant will cause 'very dense outbreaks' in these five states, expert says". CNN. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
- ↑ "NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships". NCAA. March 12, 2020.
- ↑ "NJCAA cancels spring sports, basketball nationals amid coronavirus outbreak". MLive.com. March 16, 2020.
- ↑ "World Games in Birmingham rescheduled to July 2022". ABC 3340. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ↑ "How Nick Saban views his role helping during coronavirus crisis". AL.com. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ↑ Gattis, Paul (March 12, 2020). "Trash Pandas debut delayed by coronavirus concerns and on June 30 it was announced that the 2020 season would not be played wo". al.
- ↑ "Important Announcement". Facebook. Mobicon. March 22, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
External links
Media related to COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama at Wikimedia Commons