Coronavirus

‘Out of control’: Alabama Hits Record Virus Hospitalizations

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama has reached a new high for the number of people in state hospitals with COVID-19. State health department numbers on Monday indicated that 1,717 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state. That’s the highest number of virus hospitalizations reported since the pandemic began. The previous high was a little over 1,600 in mid-summer. The…

Warming Shelters Open in Montgomery

As temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, the City of Montgomery and EMA are opening a warming shelter for those who need a place to stay safe. Therapeutic Recreation Center located off of Augusta Avenue in Montgomery opened its doors at 3 Monday for anyone needing a place to sleep and stay warm as temperatures continue to drop. Masks,…

Alabama Sets New Record in Coronavirus Hospitalizations

Alabama has reached a new high for the number of people in state hospitals with COVID-19. State health department numbers on Monday indicated that 1,717 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state. That’s the highest number of virus hospitalizations reported since the pandemic began. The previous high was a little over 1,600 in mid-summer. The new record comes before…

Congress Returns with Virus Aid, Federal Funding Unresolved

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress is returning to Washington for one last attempt at deal-making this year. The only absolute must-do is preventing a government shutdown on Dec. 11. But lawmakers are also debating whether to deliver another round of coronavirus relief before President Donald Trump leaves office. A virus bill would provide funding for vaccines and testing, for reopening schools,…

Dr. Fauci: “U.S. May See Coronavirus Surge in Coming Weeks.”

The nation’s leading infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci says the U.S. may see “surge upon a surge” of coronavirus cases after the Thanksgiving holiday. Fauci says it’s not too late for people traveling back home after Thanksgiving to help stop the spread by physical distancing, wearing mask, and avoiding large crowds. On Saturday 138,000 new cases were recorded and…

Alabama Prisons to Allow Video Visitations

The Alabama prison system, which suspended visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, is starting a video visitation service to try to reconnect prisoners with their family and friends. The Alabama Department of Corrections said the system is expected to be rolled out to all prisons by early December. Inmates will be able to use the video kiosks by appointment. The prison…

Tokyo Olympic Organizers Plan to Host 18 Test Events

Source: Tokyo 2020 Olympics TOKYO (AP) – The Tokyo Olympics are getting a kickstart. Local organizers have announced a series of 18 test events set to start in March. The Tokyo Olympics are to open on July 23, 2021, after being postponed eight months ago by the COVID-19 pandemic. At least four of the test events will involve athletes from…

UAB Aims to Enroll Patients For Vaccine Trial

Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham say they aim to begin enrolling patients soon for a clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Paul Goepfert, director of UAB’s Alabama Vaccine Research Clinic, says the clinic hopes to get approval this week to start enrolling patients in a study to test the effectiveness of a COVID vaccine being manufactured…

5000 Alabama Students Haven’t Shown up for Any Sort of Class

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama’s state education superintendent says preliminary reports indicate that more than 5,000 students haven’t shown up for any sort of classes, virtual or in-person. Eric Mackey says they’re likely to have a hard time catching up – and the enrollment drop could mean the loss of hundreds of teachers. That’s because the state funding formula is…

Hospitals Brace for Post-Thanksgiving COVID Surge

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama hospitals are bracing for a post-holiday surge in COVID-19 cases. Infections were already rising before Thanksgiving gatherings. Health officials fear there will be a new wave of cases after the holiday. Dr. Don Williamson, the former state health officer who now heads the Alabama Hospital Association, said most hospitals are expressing concern about staffing. The…