Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Health

Ivey extends COVID-19 state of emergency to end of October

A total of 7,670 Alabamians have died this year due to COVID-19.

Governor Kay Ivey gave the keynote speech at the Rotary Club of Anniston Luncheon Tuesday June, 15, 2021 in Anniston, Ala. (Governor's Office/Hal Yeager)

Governor Kay Ivey has extended Alabama’s state of emergency for COVID-19, scheduled to expire Tuesday, to the end of October.

The statewide proclamation, initially issued Aug. 13. 2021, eased regulatory burdens for health care providers struggling with the late summer surge of hospitalizations, allowing for an increase in hospitals capacity and hasten purchases of emergency medical equipment.

The order will now expire Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.

“The current narrowly-focused state of emergency for covid-19 is aimed at easing burdens on health care providers and making government more responsive,” the governor’s office said in a statement Friday. “Alabama is making strides on the covid-front as more and more Alabamians get their covid-19 vaccines and as hospitalizations and cases decline.”

The governor’s office also pointed to a 70 percent drop in COVID-19 cases and a 60 percent drop in hospitalizations in Alabama between September and the previous week.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, a total of 5,369 Alabama residents tested positive with COVID-19 in the past week, showing a steady decline from the week previous.

Hospitalizations continue to trend downwards statewide, with 929 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Alabama hospitals as of Sunday, an uptick from Saturday of 23 patients.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

A total of 7,670 Alabamians have died this year due to COVID-19.

John is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can contact him at [email protected] or via Twitter.

More from APR

Congress

The bill appropriates more than $786 million for Alabama priorities, $232 million of which was secured by Britt.

Opinion

Alabama lost a humble, legendary genius on Christmas Eve. Willie Ruff is his name.

State

Only Alaska collected fewer dollars per capita than Alabama over this review period.

Legislature

A variety of medical experts, including at UAB, have published statistics that show masks were an effective way to prevent the COVID-19 transmission.