What happens if you get COVID-19 during your travels?
As COVID-19 numbers are creeping back up in certain parts of the world, the odds of getting the virus also rises. So what do you do if you feel symptoms coming…
COVID-19
CDC ends testing mandate for flights to the United States
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kyle Hamrick The Centers for Disease Control ended its mandate requiring travelers returning to the United States from foreign countries to be tested for COVID-19. According to a Tuesday press release, air passengers no longer…
Health officials concerned COVID-19 will spread with summer travel
COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the country, including right here in Alabama. In Tuscaloosa County, this means an average of 46 cases each day. In Florida, at least three…
COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise in Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 is again on the rise in Alabama after weeks in decline. More than 130 people are being treated statewide for the first time since March. State statistics show hospitalizations…
COVID booster approved for children as young as 5
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending children between ages 5 and 11 get a COVID-19 booster shot. That recommendation comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved…
New US hospitals face fiscal crisis over COVID relief money
By JAY REEVES Associated Press THOMASVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A handful of U.S. hospitals are facing a financial crisis that officials say was caused by the federal government's rules for pandemic relief money. A trio of hospitals in Alabama, Kansas…
A million empty spaces: Chronicling COVID's cruel US toll
By ADAM GELLER, CARLA K. JOHNSON and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus will soon surpass 1 million. Through wave after wave, the virus has compiled a merciless chronology of loss -- one by one…
New data: Potential summer COVID-19 surge is coming
By WVUA 23 News Reporter Michaela Redmond New data out of South Africa indicates that a new summer surge for COVID-19 could be coming. Former White House Coronavirus Response Task Force…
DCH reports few COVID cases as numbers decrease
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kyrsten Eller The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continues to decrease after the ongoing years-long battle. Currently, there are five or fewer COVID-19 inpatients being treated at DCH Regional Medical Center, and numbers are…
Alabama COVID-19 hospitalizations at low for pandemic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Fewer people are being treated for COVID-19 in Alabama hospitals than at any time since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Statistics show just 90 people statewide were hospitalized with the coronavirus Friday. That…
COVID pandemic's end may bring turbulence for US health care
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - When the end of the COVID-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome U.S. health care system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary…
Alabama virus hospitalizations lowest since pandemic start
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alabama has dropped to the lowest point since the earliest days of the pandemic. State statistics show just 156 people statewide were being treated for the illness caused…
Alabama hospitals, nursing homes getting $40M each in COVID recovery funds
Alabama's nursing homes and hospitals are getting some much-needed financial relief thanks to Gov. Kay Ivey this week, as she announced Wednesday she's allocating $40 million to each, for a total…
DCH reports lowest number of positive COVID cases since April
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kyrsten Eller Although the COVID-19 virus is still relevant in our lives, the number of people who have tested positive for the virus has decreased significantly. DCH Health System Vice President of Communications and Marketing…
Virus hospitalizations at lowest point in Alabama since 2021
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are at their lowest point in Alabama since late 2021 in another sign that the latest wave of illness is loosening its grip. Statistics from the Alabama Department of Public Health show 535…
White House announces new COVID-19 preparedness plan
By WVUA 23 News Reporter Gracie Johnson The White House unveiled its brand new National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Wednesday, offering a look at what the federal government is doing…
Local businesses excited over relaxation of COVID guidelines
By WVUA 23 News Reporter Michaela Redmond The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is relaxing COVID-19 masking guidelines, suggesting a return to normalcy in much of…
Alabama students stay hopeful as mask mandate nears end
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kyrsten Eller The University of Alabama announced on Feb. 15 that it's ending the mask mandate for indoor locations and will be effective starting Monday, Feb. 21. UA said it's ending the mandate because of…
COVID-19 cases falling, mask mandates dropping in Tuscaloosa
By WVUA 23 News Reporter Elise Anzaldua As Tuscaloosa sees a significant drop in positive COVID-19 cases, mask mandates for school systems and colleges are ending. DCH Health System reported 68 COVID-positive inpatients as…
Relaxed COVID-19 restrictions could be on the horizon
We'll take all the good news we can get, especially when it comes to the nearly two-year coronavirus pandemic. According to DCH Health System, as of Tuesday, they were treating 110 COVID-positive…
How could new omicron variant impact West Alabama?
Although hospital numbers around the country continue decreasing, state health officials think staying on guard and prepared is imperative, especially considering the rise of the . "Just because you've had positive movement one day or over a couple of days,…
DCH reports decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations
In many parts of the country, COVID-19 hospitalizations are trending downward, and that's in line with what's happening here in West Alabama. DCH Health System Marketing and Communications Vice President…
COVID-19 hospitalizations decline 5% across Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has decreased about 5% in Alabama since last week, a potential sign of improvement in the fight against the pandemic. Statistics from the Alabama Department of Public Health showed…
Bright Spots: Tuscaloosa County High student offers heartfelt words for teachers
https://youtu.be/fc0pz8GJ-Q8 Every other week in our Bright Spots reports, you hear WVUA 23 Anchor Chelsea Barton tell a story of something positive in our community. In this week's piece, you're not going to hear her voice at all. These are…
