Coronavirus
Alabama Health Officials Say COVID-19 Vaccine Safe For Pregnant Women
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or wanting to get pregnant, says health experts.
Birmingham Hospital Leaders: COVID Surge ‘Heartbreaking … And Largely Preventable’
Statewide hospitalizations for COVID-19 topped 1,700 Wednesday, fueled by the highly-contagious delta variant.
Schools Opening Short On Teachers Because Of An Increase In Retirements
Last school year, more than 3,500 school employees retired in Alabama. That's the highest number since 2010. Some credit the pandemic for the rise in retirement, while others say a growing unappreciation for school employees had caused these workers to leave the industry.
5 Things To Know About Alabama’s Back-To-School COVID Toolkit
The state's updated guidance for back-to-school has several school districts in the region changing their COVID-19 protocols.
Delta Strikes Birmingham Public Works, But Mayor Says The City Will Get To Your Trash
Your trash will be picked up, said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin at a press conference Tuesday.
Birmingham Expands Hours At Vaccination Clinic, Offers New Incentive Amid COVID Surge
Anyone who visits Legion Field for a COVID-19 vaccine will receive a concert ticket to the Jazz Festival or the Battle of the Bands.
Birmingham Teachers Welcome Students Back To School Amid COVID Surge
School starts Monday in the Birmingham City Schools. Classes are in person but with COVID protocols in place.
Amid Delta Variant Surge, Some Call For Vaccine And Mask Mandates
While states have tried coaxing reluctant residents into getting the shot with incentives like lotteries, some businesses and health experts in the region say it’s time to start creating disincentives for avoiding the shot.
UAB Doc Predicts New Cases Of COVID Could Rocket To 13,000 A Day By The End Of August
New modeling shows that Alabama could reach a peak of 13,000 new cases per day by the end of August.
Gulf State Schools Had Mask Mandates Last Fall. That Isn’t The Case This Year.
The coronavirus pandemic’s fourth wave has not changed state-wide back-to-school plans in the Gulf South, where cases are rising and mask use is voluntary.
Birmingham Schools Will Require Masks After Shift In CDC Recommendations
Birmingham City Schools will once again require all students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear a face mask while in school facilities.
As The Clock Runs Out On $300 Unemployment Benefits, A New Orleans Waitress Is Left In Limbo
The tips Dora Whitfield earned at Harrah’s Casino covered her bills. But like a lot of workers, returning to work isn’t as simple as following the help wanted signs.
Offering A Carrot Won’t Get People Vaccinated, Maybe It’s Time To Talk About The Stick, Health Official Tells Birmingham Council
One health professional says incentivizing vaccines is not working and that it may be time for businesses to start requiring it.
Alabama’s COVID New-Case Average Quintuples In 10 Days, As Health Officials Struggle To Get More People Vaccinated
Health officials in the region are sounding the alarm as COVID-19 cases continue to increase. Across the Gulf States, hospitalizations have reached levels not seen since the Spring.
“It’s Playing A Game With Us”: Researcher Says COVID Delta Variant Is Spreading In Alabama
New data shows the delta variant made up almost 71% of cases tested at one local lab in recent weeks.
Counties At Very High Risk Of COVID Spread Quadruples In 2 Weeks
Roughly 26 of Alabama's counties are at a 'very high risk' for COVID-19, according to data from the state health department.
With COVID Cases On The Rise, Health Officials Say They’re Seeing Last Year’s Pattern Repeat Itself
Health officials say Alabama may be headed toward an explosion in the number of COVID-19 cases thanks to the coronavirus delta and delta plus variant.
What To Know About The Delta Plus COVID Variant: How Serious Is It? Will Vaccines Work?
Alabama has recorded multiple cases of the delta variant. Meanwhile, this week Louisiana identified its first case of the delta plus variant, a mutation of the delta variant.
Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff Visits Birmingham To Encourage COVID-19 Vaccines
Roughly 30% of Alabamians are fully vaccinated.
Why Alabama’s Declining Vaccination Rate Could Spell An ‘Uncomfortable Summer’
Close to 70% of Alabamians are still not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but many people have stopped wearing masks and returned to normal activities.
Birmingham City Council To Hear $13 Million Vaccine Sweepstakes Proposal Tuesday
Council President William Parker's plan includes gift cards, savings bonds, college scholarships and drawings in an attempt to encourage more people get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Birmingham Schools Will Vaccinate Students And Their Families
Birmingham City Schools and Alabama Regional Medical Services will be giving COVID-19 vaccinations to city school students and their parents over the summer in an effort to make schools and their communities safer when they reopen in the fall.
UAB Closes Three COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Sites While Alabama’s Vaccination Rate Remains Below 50%
UAB announced this week it's closing the majority of its public COVID-19 vaccination sites because of a decline in participation. Meanwhile, Alabama remains at the bottom nationally for the number of adults that have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Using Pastors And Pints, Gulf States Try To Boost COVID Vaccination Rates In White Communities
Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama have the lowest vaccination rates nationally, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Health officials are considering creative incentives to get the numbers up from church events to possible beer giveaways.
As Demand Drops, Health Officials Look For Ways To Encourage Vaccinations
Health officials say at first they were focused on vaccinating elderly and at-risk people in Alabama. Now the focus is shifting to people who are skeptical or apathetic about the vaccine.
Starting Thursday, UAB To Offer Pfizer Vaccine To Adolescents
The Pfizer COVID-19 shot was found to be 100% effective in preventing disease among children aged 12 to 15 years old.
Governor Shuts Down Extra Help For The Unemployed, Says Workers Needed To Invigorate The Economy
Alabama will stop participating in all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs beginning June 19. Gov. Kay Ivey says she made the decision because of the increasing difficulty of business owners and employers to find workers to fill jobs.
Alabama Health Officials: ‘Plenty’ Of COVID-19 Vaccines
While about 30% of Alabamians have received at least one shot of a COVID vaccine, officials said demand has declined in recent weeks, leaving thousands of unused doses sitting on shelves.
Past And Present Collide As Community Health Centers Strive To Close Rural Care Gaps In The Pandemic
Many rural health leaders believe community health centers, which were born in the 60s to reach low-income communities of color, were a missing piece in achieving equity in the vaccine rollout.
Businesses React To Birmingham’s New Mask Order
A local ordinance replaces the statewide mask order expiring April 9. Some say the move is necessary, but others call it an "undue burden."
Acclinate Races Against The Clock To Increase Diversity In Clinical Drug Trials
A lack of racial diversity in clinical trials can make new drugs and treatments less effective for people of color. According to one recent study, 78% of trial participants were white. Acclinate, a new Birmingham-based company, is trying to correct that imbalance by connecting underserved populations with researchers.
Alabama Deploys Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Units To Rural Areas
All eligible Alabamians in these 24 rural counties can receive a free COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday.
