JCUC holds virtual news conference

The Jefferson County Unified Command Center (JCUC) held a virtual news conference on Friday to give an update on the COVID-19 situation in the city as we move from the stay at home order to the safer at home order.

Represented at the news conference were Mark Wilson, Health Officer for Jefferson County; Dr. Sarah Nafziger, UAB Hospital; Tony Petelos Jefferson County manager; Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and James Coker, Jefferson County EMA director.

Mark Wilson said he was encouraged by the progress that has been made in the community. “While we have not met all of the benchmarks set by the White House about stay at home orders, we will begin a new safer at home order representing a careful approach,” Wilson said. 

The main changes will be retail businesses opening at half of the normal allowable occupancy and dental and medical surgical procedures proceeding. Wilson said they would carefully be watching the supply and demand of access to PPE devices. 

“We plan to watch this new level until May 15... to make sure we don't see an increase before we take the next step.”

Wilson added that a county wide testing collaborative will be formed to coordinate COVID-19 testing efforts going forward. Tests were done yesterday at Central Park and today at Cathedral of the Cross. 

Next week, appointment only testing sites will be held Wednesday, May 6 at Western Health Center (631 Bessemer Superhighway, Midfield) and Friday, May 8 at East Lake United Methodist Church (7753 First Ave. S, Birmingham). Plans are also being made for another test site in the Bush Hills area. To make an appointment, call 205-975-2819.

“Widespread access to testing is important,” Wilson said. “We caution individuals to place too much confidence in health results. Getting a negative test doesn’t rule out the possibility a person could be infected two days later. Everyone needs to do everything they can to protect themselves and others from infections. Everyone should act as if they or others around them may be infected.”

Sarah Nafziger, Physician Advisor for Center for Patient Flow at UAB said the hospital is eager to serve their patients. They have a backlog of services needed to be provided and they are giving patients notice as quickly as can.

“The safety of our healthcare workers and our patients is our top priority. We will be rolling out our expansive services in a measured way,” Nafzinger said. “We won’t be able to quickly turn everything back on Monday morning, it will be a slow ramp up.”

She said that UAB is monitoring new cases on an hour by hour basis to make sure they know what’s going on in the community. They are also testing patients prior to procedures to make sure they aren’t infected.

Visitor restrictions will remain in place for both the protection of the and the healthcare workers. However, allowances may be made on a case by case basis, in situations like end of life care. 

Jefferson County Manager Tony Petelos said he is happy to announce that the Jefferson County Courthouse is open, and preparations for this have been made over the last several weeks to get things ready for the public to come inside.

He said that there are many services that can be completed online, so people don’t have to visit the courthouse in person. Masks are required to be worn while inside the courthouse.

If you have work to do at courthouse, visit jccal.org and see the frequently asked questions for all the services available online or by mail.

Petelos added that those with court dates can visit jefferson.alacourt.gov for specific information. 

Mayor Randall Woodfin said he is proud of the citizens for what they’ve been doing to help during this time, however the city is still under a state of emergency. 

“It is necessary to balance the need to protect public health and also get the economy going,” Woodfin said. 

James Coker, director of the Jefferson County EMA said that the unified command has brought together various agencies to work together and run a unified structure. 

“We have been able to conduct the entire response in a virtual matter, which has never been done before in the county,” Coker said. 

Also, all of the community feeding needs as of today have been met. Those with needs are encouraged to call 211 for assistance. 

For more information, visit uab.edu/fightcovid19 or jeffcoema.com.