The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Wednesday reported the death of a patient who had previously tested positive for COVID-19. This event marks the first death in an Alabama resident with a positive test. The patient had underlying health problems and died in a facility outside the state of Alabama. The patient was a resident of Jackson County.
Also on Thursday, the Jackson County Commission said in a news release that the coronavirus victim had worked part-time at the county courthouse, which is in Scottsboro, in an area and in a job that did not require regular contact with the public. The release said that the area had been sanitized, that the incubation period for the virus had now passed since the employee last worked, and that other courthouse employees had thus far exhibited no symptoms. The courthouse is in any case closed until at least April 6.
The Alabama Health Department issued the same slow-the-virus guidelines as Georgia's, to wit:
Stay home when you are sick.
Avoid contact with sick people.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
ADPH encouraged the public to keep informed by visiting alabamapublichealth.gov. An ADPH toll-free hotline and e-mail address are as follows:
COVID-19 General Information - 800-270-7268
Telephone calls are answered from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, and a language line is available for people who do not speak English.
The COVID-19 General Information Email address - covid19info@adph.state.al.us
In addition, a toll-free phone line provides information about available testing sites and hours of operation statewide at 888-264-2256.
