State Health Officer Scott Harris and Gov. Kay Ivey during a press conference at the state capitol on Dec. 9, 2020
Governor Kay Ivey is extending Alabama’s Safer-at-Home order until January 22, 2021. In making her announcement, she said there will be no additional changes or adjustments.
That means Alabama residents must continue to wear masks, wash their hands, and sanitize their personal spaces as much as possible. Alabama’s mask order was set to expire on Friday, December 11.
Ivey’s announcement comes amid a spike in new coronavirus cases and record-breaking hospitalizations. Ivey said the spike in COVID-19 cases means the state is in “some of our darkest days” as the surge strains Alabama’s hospital system. State health officer Scott Harris said there are at least 2,100 people being treated for the virus at hospitals across the state.
As of today, the Alabama Department of Public Health has reported more than 280,000 cases of COVID-19 and nearly 4,000 deaths.
Harris also announced the roll-out of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine which, he said, is expected to arrive in Alabama next week. Harris said the state will receive nearly 41,000 doses of the vaccine for distribution and another allotment of the vaccine will be sent to the state a couple of weeks later.
Harris said the state will also receive Moderna’s vaccine later in the month. The vaccine will likely be prioritized for frontline hospital workers and some first responders.
An uneven vaccine rollout across Southern states is causing frustration. Health departments are overwhelmed with people seeking shots as phone lines and websites are unable to keep up with the demand.
Answers to your questions about the coronavirus vaccine rollout in Alabama. Who is eligible? How can you sign up to get a vaccine?
The state authorized all counties to begin vaccinating first responders and people 75 years and older. But health officials say it will likely be next week before they can start doing that.
Caring for record numbers of coronavirus patients in the hospital takes a heavy toll on health care workers like Kelsey Jacks.
Bernard Lockhart, founder of Avondale's Jazz in the Park, died last month from complications related to COVID-19.
UAB Hospital is daily caring for a record number of new COVID-19 patients. These patients have been hospitalized because they are very sick or may be unable to survive without intensive medical care, according to UAB.
