As Alabamians deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the best direct sources to keep up with accurate, updated information are the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation,” ADPH states. As such, the department is updating the public twice daily on how many confirmed coronavirus cases there are in the state, as well as which counties the cases are located in.
You can keep up with the ADPH’s surveillance dashboard here to see that information as soon as it is updated.
For updated numbers on both cases under investigation and confirmed nationally, you should utilize the CDC’s information here.
Additionally, a professor at Samford University has turned the information in ADPH’s table into a visual map that is updated regularly.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is also a valuable resource when it comes to combat the pandemic.
UAB is advising the public of the following:
First – If you think you have symptoms of the novel coronavirus, call your doctor first. Do not go to the doctor’s office unless you need immediate care. You do not want to expose others to your illness and if you are well, you do not want to be exposed to someone else. Stay home unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Second – Do not go to the emergency room unless you require critical, immediate care. Emergency rooms need to serve those with the most critical needs. Do not go to the emergency room for COVID-19 testing.
Third – There is a national blood shortage. If you are healthy and eligible, donate blood as soon as possible. Contact the Red Cross to find out where to donate and how to schedule an appointment.
Finally – Avoid crowds of 10 or more people. Do not attend concerts, sports events, religious gatherings, movie theaters or use public transportation. People should also be at least six feet apart from one another.
ADPH has established a 24/7 helpline for questions about coronavirus testing. Call 1-888-264-2256 for information on testing sites and hours of operation or click here for ADPH’s online testing resource.
As expressed by leaders like Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, each and every person has a significant role to play in preventing the further spread of coronavirus, known as flattening the curve.
This is the powerful impact of social distancing on the spread of #Coronavirus. Over 30 days, with 75% less exposure, a single carrier only infects 2.5 others compared to 406 others when not practicing #SocialDistancing.
We must continue standing together while staying apart. pic.twitter.com/su6GcUaO1z
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) March 19, 2020
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Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
