COVID-19 Coverage

VIRUS OUTBREAK: STATE ORDERS CLOSURES IN SOME COUNTIES

By KIM CHANDLER Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama is ordering the closure of day care and senior centers in six counties near the center of the the state’s coronavirus outbreak. State officials also told restaurants in those counties to end on-site dining for the next week. The directive includes Jefferson County, which has

DCH’S DRIVE-THRU SCREENING OFF TO A BUSY START

If you’ve got flu-like symptoms you think could potentially be coronavirus, the DCH Health System’s coronavirus task force has set up a remote screening facility for patients just like you. It’s located in the large parking lot just west of Dr. Edward Hillard Drive near the DCH laundry facility. The drive-thru facility allows patients to

LOCAL BUSINESSES CONCERNED ABOUT LACK OF TRAFFIC

Most businesses in Tuscaloosa anticipate slower business days over spring break, but with coronavirus keeping locals at home, restaurants are coming to terms with a potentially permanent slowdown through August. As of today, the Alabama Department of Public Health has announced all dine-in services at restaurants in Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Shelby, Blount and St. Clair

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION FUNDS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS EARLY

The Tuscaloosa County Commission called an emergency meeting Monday to update residents on steps they’re taking now that there are several confirmed coronavirus cases in Tuscaloosa County. The County Commission said they want residents to know all the services the county provides will not be hampered by the virus. That being said, the means of

PUBLIC SERVICES ALSO BEING AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS

While businesses and restaurants are having a difficult time this week, so are public services. Firefighters must respond to any emergency they’ve been dispatched to, and Northport Fire Capt. Tony Gill said that hasn’t changed. What has changed is all the other things they offer residents. “We’ve canceled a few activities and educational events, but

AMID VIRUS CONCERNS, CHURCHES FINDING LESS PUBLIC WAYS FOR WORSHIP

Churches in our area have decided fear won’t get in the way of their praise. In light of the Coronavirus concerns happening around the nation and Alabama, churches around West Alabama are spending Sunday service a little different than usual. “One of the things we try to do is operate off of facts and not

OUTBREAK UPDATE: HEALTH DEPARTMENT HALTS DINING IN AT RESTAURANTS

The Alabama Department of Public Health today is issuing updated guidelines in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. For Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Shelby counties, ADPH is recommending against gatherings of 25 people or more where a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained. In addition, all bars, restaurants, breweries and food service establishments

ALABAMA CHURCHES ALTERING WORSHIP PLANS AMID VIRUS OUTBREAK

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) – Some Alabama churches are canceling services and moving worship online after confirmation of the first case of the new coronavirus in the state. The Episcopal bishop for Alabama has told all the denomination’s churches to cancel their usual services, meetings and even postpone funerals for the rest of March. The church

VIRUS: LEGAL OPINION SOUGHT ON ANY ALABAMA RUNOFF DELAY

By KIM CHANDLER Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill is seeking an emergency legal opinion about the possibility of postponing the March 31 primary runoff because of the threat of coronavirus. Merrill said he is seeking guidance from the attorney general’s office. Merrill said he will recommend the runoff

GOVERNOR: ALABAMA AGENCIES CAN ALLOW WORKERS TO STAY HOME

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama’s governor is giving state agencies permission to allow their employees to work from home. Gov. Kay Ivey said on Twitter Sunday that employees should plan to return to regular work schedules on April 6. Alabama has 22 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Sunday night, according to the Alabama Department

Walt Maddox Working On Elevate Tuscaloosa

MAYOR EXTENDS GRACE PERIOD FOR UTILITY BILL NONPAYMENTS

Mayor Walt Maddox issued an executive order yesterday allowing residents a 60-day grace period on their unpaid utility bills. The mayor stressed that the health of his citizens is of the utmost importance during this time of encouraged social isolation. This extension applies to water, sewer and solid waste nonpayments. “The health and wellbeing of

TUSCALOOSA PUBLIC LIBRARY LOCATIONS WILL TEMPORARILY CLOSE

All Tuscaloosa Public Library locations will close March 16-22 to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. “TPL made this choice to support the overall health and wellness of Tuscaloosa City and County and for the safety of our patrons and staff,” Vince Bellofatto, director of communications and public relations for TPL, said in a press

DCH TO OFFER A REMOTE SCREENING FACILITY FOR CORONAVIRUS

There has been one confirmed COVID-19 case in Tuscaloosa County. To aid in preventing the spread of the virus, a task force dedicated to testing, treating and preventing COVID-19 in Tuscaloosa has begun to set up a remote screening facility at DCH Regional Medical Center. The facility is located in one of DCH’s parking lots

IT’S HERE: TUSCALOOSA RESIDENT HAS CORONAVIRUS

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox this evening announced Tuscaloosa has its first confirmed coronavirus case and declared at state of emergency for the city. Maddox said the individual was initially treated at DCH Regional Medical Center, but is believed to now be recovering at home. “We are in uncharted waters,” Maddox said. This will be a

SECOND CORONAVIRUS CASE CONFIRMED IN ALABAMA

Alabama has a second official coronavirus case. The first confirmed case was announced this morning. The newest case is a patient from Jefferson County who traveled outside the state, said Dr. Scott Harris with the Alabama Department of Public Health. “This is a person who traveled internationally and returned to the U.S. and was ill

CORONAVIRUS: ALABAMA CLOSING PUBLIC SCHOOLS STARTING MARCH 18

Public schools in Alabama are closing for more than two weeks starting next week. The announcement comes as a second person has tested positive for coronavirus, this time in Jefferson County. Schools affected are all public schools serving kindergarteners through 12th-graders. Private schools are not affected by the closure. Alabama Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said

IS THAT LOCAL EVENT COMING UP CANCELED? YEAH, PROBABLY

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on Thursday announced the cancelation or postponement of locally run events through the end of March and into April. The list includes: All events sponsored or hosted by Tuscaloosa Tourism and sports are canceled through March 31 DCH Foundation’s BBQ & Blue Jeans event, March 28: Cancelled Shelton State Community College’s

I THINK I HAVE CORONAVIRUS. NOW WHAT?

Don’t panic. First, go over your symptoms. Do you: Have a fever? Have a cough — specifically a dry cough? Have shortness of breath? If so, you might have coronavirus. But should you go get tested? Definitely head to the doctor if: Your symptoms increase in severity You have a compromised immune system or a

IT’S OFFICIALLY HERE: FIRST CORONAVIRUS CASE CONFIRMED IN ALABAMA

The Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed the first official case of coronavirus in the state this morning. ADPH State Health Officer Scott Harris made the announcement at 10 a.m. this morning, saying it’s been expected for some time now. Alabama has been testing for the virus for just over a week, Harris said. “We

CORONAVIRUS IMPACTS SHOPPERS AS FEARS CAUSE PANIC OVER MEDICINE, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES

By WVUA 23 Reporter Maria Blough The aisles at some supermarkets across the country are packed with people trying to stock up on all their needs so they can stay away from public spaces. In Tuscaloosa the stores are a little less hectic, but some shoppers still have their concerns about the future of their trips

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL: ‘CORONAVIRUS IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE’

By WVUA 23 Reporter Chelsea Barton Even though there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Alabama as of Thursday, medical professionals here in Tuscaloosa are prepared to test patients and house them if they test positive for COVID-19. Dr. Thomas Weida is the chief medical officer at the University of Alabama’s College of Community

MADDOX ADDRESSES CORONAVIRUS WITH CLOSINGS, CANCELLATIONS

By WVUA 23 Reporter Julia Smith With the coronavirus making its way across the United States, businesses, athletics events and schools are slowly moving to lockdown. Sen. Doug Jones addressed the state with an update on how Alabama is taking action. A $8.6 billion bill passed in Washington to go toward funding, more testing, research for

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA EXTENDING SPRING BREAK FOR STUDENTS, TRANSITIONING ONLINE

The University of Alabama has announced it is extending spring break for students and transitioning to online learning after the break. Students were scheduled to return March 23, but now classes will not resume until March 30 so faculty and staff can adjust their classes to a remote learning environment. In an email to faculty,

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