COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: General Information

This is an ongoing article that will be updated with information regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus in the Birmingham area. It will include updates for all of our coverage areas, including downtown, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, 280 corridor and Trussville.

For updates concerning events, please see our event cancellation/rescheduling article. For updates on businesses and restaurants offering curbside pick up, delivery and free/discounted kids meals, please see our restaurant updates article. For updates on open businesses offering curbside pick up, delivery or other services, see our business updates article.

5/27/20 - 280

• During the Shelby County Commission meeting on May 26, County Manager Chad Scroggins shared several updates on how things are continuing to progress in the county throughout COVID-19. For information on businesses, county services, the Shelby County Health Department and county finances, read our article here.

5/20/20 - Homewood

• Homewood City Schools students will have one more week of summer break than they originally expected. Classes were originally scheduled to return Aug. 12. But after a decision made by the Homewood City Schools Board of Education last night, the fall 2020 semester is now scheduled to start Aug. 19. The last day of school for students was also pushed back, from May 25 to May 27, 2021. For more information about the delayed start, see our article here.

5/20/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• Because of the uncertainty regarding the full scope of the fiscal impact of COVID-19, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin told the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday that the city’s Finance Department recommends delaying the budget process for three months until Sept. 30, 2020. The Birmingham City Council voted unanimously to amend the city’s COVID-19 shelter-in-place ordinance, which is to remain in place at least until Friday, May 29. The Council also voted to extend the city’s ordinance requiring face coverings in public spaces until May 29. To read more about these topics and others discussed at yesterday's meeting, see our article here.

5/19/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The 2020 graduates of Jefferson State Community College will have the opportunity to participate in a unique digital media commencement ceremony on Friday, June 5 at 1:30 p.m. The original graduation exercises, scheduled for May 1, were postponed due to public health directives related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the graduation process in the college's submitted article here.

5/15/20 - General

• On Friday, U.S. Senator Doug Jones gave a Washington update during a webinar co-hosted by several local chambers including The Shelby County Chamber, Homewood Chamber of Commerce, Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce. Jones said the Senate is trying to craft the next round of legislation to make what has already been done better and move forward to open things in a safe way. For more information about the update, see our article here.
• On Friday, the leadership of the YMCA of Greater Birmingham (YMCA) and the Levite Jewish Community Center (LJCC) announced the planned re-opening of their facilities. Both will re-open to members on Monday, June 1, 2020, after having been closed since March 16. For more information about the facilities reopening, see our article here. 

5/14/20 - 280

• In a press release sent out on Thursday, the Shelby County School District announced new plans for graduation ceremonies. All Shelby County high schools will hold graduations during the week of June 1 with in-person graduation ceremonies held at each school's football stadium. Each graduate will be issued four guest tickets. Read more about the new graduation plans here.

5/13/20 - Homewood

• Homewood students in the class of 2020 will have a chance to attend a modified graduation event during the week of May 18-22. Students will select a date and time using an online form for their individual graduation ceremony. The student will then go to the Homewood High School auditorium at that time to have their name called, walk across the stage and receive their diploma. This ceremony will be recorded by Knight Eady Event Group and will be shared with all families. Participation is optional. Read more about the graduation plans in our article here.
• Although overall crime in Homewood has seen a slowdown since the pandemic, the Homewood Police Department is reporting a slight increase in vehicle theft. The majority of the vehicles that have been stolen have been left unlocked, and the key has been left inside of them, said Staff Sergeant John Carr. If you see any suspicious activity, Carr said to call and report it immediately. Read more about this in our article here.

5/13/2 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham City Council — at its regular meeting for Tuesday, May 12 — voted to amend the city’s shelter-in-place order meant to help control the spread of COVID-19 and to remove the curfew that was part of the ordinance. Members also voted to extend the city’s face coverings ordinance for 10 more days. Read more about the council meeting and the new amendments here.

5/12/20 - Vestavia Hills

• The fight against COVID-19 is not over, said Wesley Willeford, medical director of disease control at the Jefferson County Department of Health. “We still have a lot of work to do with COVID-19,” Willeford said. “The battle isn’t won.” Willeford was one of the presenters at a Virtual Town Hall held May 12 by the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and the city of Vestavia Hills. For more information from this town hall meeting, see our article here. 
• Vestavia Hills High School will allow seniors to participate in their choice of two graduation events: a traditional graduation ceremony to be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. at Thompson-Reynolds Stadium on the VHHS campus, or a graduation for individual students and their families on May 20-21. In the event of rain, the stadium ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 20. Read more about the graduation options and regulations in our article here.

5/12/20 - Mountain Brook

• The Mountain Brook City Council — at its regular meeting for Monday, May 11 — voted to reopen some of the city’s parks and athletic fields to the public for exercise and passive use on Wednesday, May 13, as part of a gradual reopening of the city. Some park facilities will still be closed, and there will be numerous social distancing and other safety protocols in place for the facilities that reopen. In addition, vulnerable individuals are still encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines. For lists of which parks will open or remain closed, see our article here.

5/12/20 - 280

• A Community Wellness Update was hosted by the Shelby County Chamber’s health services group on Tuesday. Featured speakers on the Zoom conference were Chad Scroggins, County Manager of Shelby County; Captain Clay Hammac, Executive Director of Compact 2020 and Shelby County Drug Enforcement Commander; Richard Fallin, Executive Director of Central Alabama Wellness (formerly Chilton-Shelby Mental Health) and Daniel Listi, CEO of Shelby Baptist Medical Center. For more information on the status of the health services groups in Shelby County, see our article here.

5/12/20 - Hoover / 280

• On May 12, the city of Hoover began reopening some city facilities that have been closed, but the reopenings will occur gradually. For updates on the status of the Finley Center, Hoover Recreation Center, neighborhood parks, Hoover Municipal Court, Hoover Senior Center, sports facilities, Hoover Public Library, Aldridge Gardens, Hoover City Hall and Hoover Public Safety Center, see our article here.
• The Hoover school system’s decision to hold large graduation ceremonies for Hoover and Spain Park high schools next week has drawn both ire and praise from the community. Some people say it’s irresponsible to bring that many people together as the COVID-19 disease remains in a community outbreak phase, while others say the Class of 2020 deserves to have a graduation ceremony like all the classes before them. Read more about the responses from the graduation announcement here.

5/11/20 - Hoover / 280

• Hoover school officials on Monday announced the dates and times for Hoover and Spain Park high school graduation ceremonies. Spain Park’s ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, and Hoover’s ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. Both ceremonies will take place at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium at 100 Ben Chapman Drive. Read more about the graduation ceremonies in our article here.

5/11/20 - Vestavia Hills

• After Gov. Kay Ivey amended the shelter-in-place order, Vestavia Hills City Council meetings are now open to the public, so long as six-foot distances can be maintained. The meetings will still be available via Zoom.
• Those needing to drop documents to the City Clerk and Building Permits and Licenses office should still use the drop box.
• The library drop box will open May 26, but the building is still closed.
• In-person court proceedings will resume May 19.
• Parks and recreation facilities will open for some scheduled programming only, with no free play allowed. Playgrounds will remain closed, along with senior facilities.
• Normal operations for trash and recycling resumed May 11.
• Until safety protocols are able to be installed, residents are requested to continue submitting tag renewals and new car registrations online – visit http://www.altagrenewals.com to renew your vehicle tag; visit www.easytagal.com to register a new vehicle tag.

5/11/20 - 280 / Hoover

• At the Shelby County Commission meeting this morning, they announced that the Inverness license office will reopen on Monday, May 18. A new queuing process will start this week, where customers will get a number so they don’t have to stand in line. They will be notified when it is their turn by text or if they wait in their car, can tune into a radio station for information. There is still not a confirmed date for ALEA to open their operations to drivers license testing. For more inforamtion from the meeting, see our article here.

5/8/20 - General

• Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey today announced that more businesses will be allowed to open starting Monday, May 11, including restaurant dining rooms, hair and nail salons and gyms, with some restrictions. Restaurants will be able to open dining rooms as long as they do not exceed 50% of their normal occupancy limits, keep at least 6 feet between tables and follow other guidelines agreed upon by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association. Gyms, athletic facilities and athletic classes also can resume operations but must use intense cleaning methods and practice social distancing, the governor said. Read more from the press conference in our article here. 
• Following Gov. Kay Ivey’s morning press conference, the JCUC also held one Friday afternoon to discuss the changes to Alabama’s “safer-at-home” order, which will allow many businesses in the state to reopen Monday, May 11. Dr. Mark Wilson, Jefferson County Health Officer said that even though some restrictions are relaxed, residents should proceed with caution. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, division director of infectious diseases at UAB said she echoed Dr. Wilson’s caution and that Jefferson County is well ahead of other parts of the state thanks to early implementation of social distancing measures. Read more from this press conference in our article here.

5/7/20 - Mountain Brook / General

• Thanks to three people with strong Mountain Brook ties, there’s an easy way online for people in the Birmingham area to offer financial support — and a boost in morale — to healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and to local restaurants seeking to survive financially in these difficult days of quarantine. Long-time friends and Mountain Brook High School graduates Rip Andrews and Will Baker — along with Baker’s wife, Susannah Baker — started a program in March called Meals for Healthcare Heroes that addresses both of those critical needs, while also giving area residents a chance to make a positive impact without leaving home. Read more about this cause and how to help out in our article here.

5/6/20 - 280

• During the May 5 city council meeting, Chelsea mayor Tony Picklesimer gave a COVID-19 update and laid out phase one to reopen the city. Several recreational facilities will be reopened immediately with strict adherence to six foot social distancing and hand washing guidelines laid out in the governor's order. All gatherings will continue to be limited to 10 people. For more about the city's reopening plan, see our article here.

5/5/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham City Council voted to approve some changes in the ordinance they passed last week requiring that people wear some sort of face mask or covering in public in the city to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Mayor Randall L. Woodfin recommended the changes, which focus on requirements for offices, job sites, children and daycare facilities, according to a city news release. Read about the changes for the new ordinance in our article here.

5/5/20 - Hoover

• The Riverchase Galleria reopened its doors May 5 after being closed for more than a month due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The mall had to rehire housekeeping staff, install additional hand sanitizer stations and put up signs directing people to the hand sanitizer and instructing them to keep at least 6 feet apart between mall guests from different households, White said. It’s up to the individual store owners to determine if they want to reopen, and as of this afternoon, about 25 of the mall’s 109 inline tenants were open, White said. Read more about the reopening in our article here.

5/5/20 - 280 / Shelby County

• In an email to the Senior Class of 2020 on Tuesday, Shelby County Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks shared that the current graduation plan is for students to receive their diplomas at drive through ceremonies to be held at each high school the week of June 15. However, Dr. Brooks noted this plan leaves the option to modify quickly to offer a more traditional graduation ceremony if the governor's health order is changed or lifted on May 15. Read more about the graduation plan in our article here.

5/4/20 - Hoover / 280

• The Inverness barbershop that is defying the state health order for close-contact businesses to remain closed is receiving citations from Hoover police, but city officials continue working to get the restrictions removed. Scott Farr, owner of The Male Room barbershop, reopened for business on Friday, May 1. As promised, Hoover police were there Friday and gave the business a citation for violating the state health order. Read more about this in our article here.

5/1/20 - General / Jefferson County

• 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. Read more about the press conference here.

4/30/20 - General / Downtown Birmingham

• The city of Birmingham has modified its shelter-in-place ordinance after a vote this afternoon by the Birmingham City Council. The ordinance previously had a 24-hour curfew. The curfew has now been changed to run from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day. The change was made in light of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s move this week to begin to partially reopen the state’s economy. The city’s new ordinance mandating that people in Birmingham wear some sort of face mask or covering in public takes effect Fri., May 1. Read more about the meeting in our article here.

4/30/20 - 280 / General

• Due to the spread of COVID-19, the need for donated blood has increased. In order to help, The Summit, Bayer Properties and the American Red Cross have partnered to meet increased need for blood donations with plans to hold a blood drive on Wednesday, May 6. For more information, see our article here.

4/29/20 - General / Hoover

• While the Birmingham-Hoover area was one of the hot spots for COVID-19 in Alabama, it appears the area has passed the absolute peak of cases, the head of the Brookwood Baptist Health System said in a town hall videoconference organized in Hoover today. However, there are still concerns about the potential for a second surge of cases now that the state’s stay-at-home order has been modified and people begin circulating more, Brookwood Baptist CEO Tim Puthoff and UAB Medical West CEO Keith Pennington said. The two hospital chiefs answered questions posed by Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and about 40 others who attended a videoconference organized by the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more about the videoconference meeting in our article here.

4/29/20 - 280 / General

• The Shelby County Health Department will be offering a free drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic on Friday, May 1. Testing will take place at Oak Mountain High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while supplies last. For more information and a list of criteria, see our article here.

4/28/20 - General

• Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday said Alabama on Thursday at 5 p.m. will enter the first phase of a multi-phase reopening of businesses. All retail stores will be allowed to reopen their doors as long as they allow only up to 50% of normal occupancy levels and require customers to stay at least 6 feet apart, the governor said. For more information from Gov. Ivey's press conference, see our article here.

4/28/20 - Homewood

• Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer and members of the City Council addressed rumors about the city’s finances at the April 27 City Council meeting. According to the city leaders, there have been rumors that Homewood has exhausted its rainy day fund amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These are “unprecedented times,” Council President Peter Wright said, but the city has not needed to tap into the rainy day fund so far. For more information from last night's city council meeting, see our article here.

4/28/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham City Council, at its regular meeting for Tuesday, April 28, voted 8-1 to pass an ordinance requiring that people wear some sort of face covering or mask in public in Birmingham during the COVID-19 public health emergency and recovery. For more information about this new ordinance, see our article here.

4/27/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The state of Alabama has deemed certified farmer’s markets as essential business during the COVID-19 shelter in place. With that, the Marketplace at Lee Branch will open this Saturday. Read more about the opening and new rules in our article here.

4/22/20 - Hoover / 280

• Hoover City Council President Gene Smith on Tuesday said he wants the city to provide free COVID-19 testing for Hoover residents and split the cost of testing for employees of Hoover businesses. Smith proposed that the city partner with medical facilities to test every Hoover resident who wants to be tested for the disease. Read more about this proposal in our article here.

4/22/20 - Mountain Brook

• Here at Village Living, we’re trying to chronicle our community’s response to the historic COVID-19 pandemic as effectively as possible. And for our June issue, we want to hear short first-hand accounts of the pandemic and its effects from community members in Mountain Brook. To participate, fill our our Google Form here and read more in our article here.

4/22/20 - 280

• During the April 21 council meeting, Mayor Tony Picklesimer said that the city of Chelsea will follow the recommendation of Gov. Ivey to keep the shelter in place order until April 30. “I don't think this is the time for rebellion or the time to chart out our own path in Chelsea,” he said. “We will follow the guidance of our governor and chief medical officer." For more information about last night's Chelsea city council meeting, see our article here.

4/21/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham City Council, at its regular meeting for Tuesday, April 21, approved three items related to the construction of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. They also approved the sale of a piece of city-owned property to Build Urban Prosperity, the sale of a piece of city property to L. Williams & Associates LLC. and an agreement with Red Mountain Theatre Company under which RMTC will make its facilities available, free to the public. For more information about the city council approvals, see our article here.
• The city of Birmingham and the state of Alabama remain under shelter-in-place orders to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus at least until April 30. However, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin — during his press conference at City Hall on Tuesday, April 21 — did not say whether that order will be extended locally. “That decision has not been determined,” Woodfin said. For more information from Mayor Woodfin's press conference, see our article here.

4/21/20 - Hoover / 280

• Hoover officials say they have identified another $2 million worth of cuts to make to the city’s 2020 budget to help make up for expected tax revenue shortfalls related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Rice also said city staff had identified about $69,000 in money left over from other capital projects, another $107,551 that could be saved by not filling vacant positions and another $25,199 that could be saved with event cancellations. For more information on the budget cuts, see our article here.

4/21/20 - Vestavia Hills

• Longleaf Liberty Park, a local senior living community in Vestavia Hills, has now began offering state-approved in-person visits for residents and their loved ones. Visits will continue to be offered daily and in 30-minute shifts and take place in the courtyard with a plexiglass wall, which was beautifully decorated by a community artist. Residents are able to sit on one side while family sits on the other – with all persons wearing masks as a precaution and talk to each other through a two-way speaking device.

4/20/20 - Homewood / General

• Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church (OLS) partnered with Food For Our Journey (FFOJ) to collect and donate items to people in need around the Birmingham metro area. The mission of Food For Our Journey is “to deliver meals to the hungry, putting God’s love into action.” The FFOJ truck will be in the OLS church parking lot every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to accept donations. For more information, see their submitted article here.

4/20/20 - General

• Alexander Shunnarah announces #UnsungHero Give Back Campaign. The goal is to recognize and give gratitude to the Unsung Heroes of our communities who are still delivering our mail, providing our groceries, and protecting our streets during this trying, unforeseen time. Law firm Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys has launched a social media give back campaign to highlight these essential workers throughout our communities who are bravely facing COVID-19 to keep our communities running. These could include Mail Carriers fire fighters, police Officers, waste collectors, delivery drivers, bank tellers, grocery store employees, convenience and gas station employees and more. The campaign began April 17, and Alexander Shunnarah is giving $50 VISA gift cards daily to these brave essential workers. The campaign runs through April 30, and nominations for your #UnsungHero can be made here.

4/20/20 - 280

• On any given day, drivers on U.S. 280 can catch a glimpse of Eddie Burchfield spreading encouragement along the highway. Since April 1, he has spent several hours each day doing his part to bring cheer to others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burchfield, an evangelist and chaplain, parks his truck at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Highway 51 and holds up signs as people drive by. He parks his truck in the same spot each day and does his sign language ministry. Read more about Burchfield in our article here.

4/17/20 - General

• On April 17, Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth held a press conference to discuss the plan to reopen businesses in the state, some immediately and others in May. The plan is to reopen the economy as safely and as soon as possible. This is phase one of the project, and the task force is not recommending reopening all businesses, but ones that can be opened safely now. Read more information in our article here.

4/17/20 - Hoover / 280

• An owner of The Male Room barbershop in the Inverness Corners shopping center today backed off his plan to defy a state health order and reopen his shop, but only under threat of losing his business license. Scott Farr this morning, speaking to reporters outside his shop at 10 a.m., said he was told by Hoover officials that if he reopened now, he risked losing his business license and the people who cut hair there risked losing their licenses. Read more about this in our article here.

4/17/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• Many American hospitals and other healthcare facilities are facing a severe shortage of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. So some of the engineers in the UAB School of Engineering are creating face shields that can be used immediately by personnel at UAB Hospital, according to UAB Media Relations.
• WBHM 90.3 FM — the public radio station at UAB — is now providing weekday newscasts focused on COVID-19 free of charge for more than 40 radio stations statewide, according to UAB Media Relations. The stations receiving the content from WBHM reach as many as 3.5 million Alabamians.
• Read more about these topics in our weekly UAB Briefs article, which can be found here.

4/16/20 - General

• The executive committee of the Alabama League of Municipalities today elected to wait until June to decide if the group wants to seek a delay in city elections later this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Elections for most municipalities in the state are now scheduled for Aug. 25. Read more about this decision here or on most of our other websites.

4/16/20 - 280 / Hoover

• Some Hoover small businesses eager to reopen are testing the boundaries of the state’s COVID-19 business shutdown order and the Police Department’s resolve to enforce it. A partner in The Male Room barbershop at Inverness Corners said on the shop’s Facebook page that it plans to reopen Friday morning because “workers and businesses must have income to survive.” Meanwhile, the Kalli’s Love Stuff adult products store on U.S. 31 earlier this week reopened with curbside service only, with the store’s attorney saying the store provides “necessary supplies” that are important for people’s sexual health. Read more about these stores on the Hoover Sun website or the 280 Living website.

4/15/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• Birmingham City Council President William Parker said on Monday that he asking state and county officials to compile and release data on health disparities in Birmingham related to the treatment of COVID-19. Parker also said in a news release that the City Council is seeking federal funding to help address health disparities in the city. Read more about these topics from this week's city council meeting here.

4/15/20 - 280 / General

• May is Huntington's Disease Awareness Month and The Huntington's Disease Society of America's (HDSA) Southeast Region will be holding the first Birmingham Virtual Team Hope Walk on Sunday, May 17.

4/14/20 - Mountain Brook

• People who repeatedly or egregiously violate social distancing orders in Mountain Brook face a misdemeanor citation that carries a minimum $25 fine, city police Chief Ted Cook recently told the city council. For more information from the city council meeting, see our article here.

4/14/20 - Vestavia Hills

• To help Vestavia Hills city employees who are still working in essential roles, the Vestavia Hills City Council approved hazard pay, a temporary 5 percent pay increase, for those employees. For more information about last night's city council meeting, read our article here.

4/14/20 - General

• Gov. Kay Ivey today said she hopes to have a plan of action to restart Alabama’s economic engine by the end of the month but in the meantime encouraged Alabamians to continue to stay at home as much as possible and practice social distancing. Meanwhile, more than 264,000 people have filed for unemployment benefits in Alabama in the past four weeks, Ivey said. The governor said she has multiple groups working to assess the economic situation and evaluating the best way to get businesses back up and running. Read more about Gov. Ivey's press conference here.

4/14/20 - Hoover / 280

• Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato on Monday night told the Hoover City Council his administration so far has identified potential ways to reduce spending by more than $11 million this fiscal year. The cuts are needed because city officials expect to lose between $8 million and $15 million in tax revenue due to business shutdowns related to the COVID-19 crisis, Brocato said. Read more from last night's meeting here.

4/10/20 - General

• The Alabama League of Municipalities’ executive committee next week is scheduled to consider asking for a one-year delay of municipal elections due to the COVID-19 crisis, the league’s deputy director said today. The executive committee is expected to vote on Thursday whether to ask the state Legislature to postpone municipal elections scheduled for Aug. 25 of this year until 2021, league Deputy Director Greg Cochran said. There are several reasons for this, including stressed city finances, concerns about having enough poll volunteers, and the short time frame between the July 14 primary runoffs and the Aug. 25 municipal elections scheduled for most cities in Alabama. Read more about this topic in our article here.

4/10/20 - Hoover

• Nineteen employees and 17 residents of the South Haven Health and Rehabilitation center in Hoover have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease, a spokesman for the center said. Of the 19 employees who tested positive, 13 showed no symptoms, and of the 17 residents who tested positive, three showed no symptoms. For more information, see our article here.

4/9/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• A team of experts at UAB have launched an online symptom checker to identify hot spots where the virus is spreading in the Deep South. The new website, helpbeatcovid19.org, will provide public health officials with badly needed information about underserved areas based on the symptomatic data collected from the region, according to UAB Media Relations.
• UAB has received a $200,000 grant from Hyundai Hope On Wheels and Hyundai Motor America to help expand drive-through testing for COVID-19, according to UAB Media Relations. The money will help support existing testing initiatives at the appointment-based Downtown COVID-19 Testing Site, sponsored by UAB Medicine and the Jefferson County Department of Health.
• For more information regarding these topics, and more, see our UAB Briefs article here.

4/9/20 - 280 / Hoover

• This week, Jefferson State Community College has provided much needed respiratory ventilators to East Alabama Medical Center to help patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ventilators were provided from Jefferson State’s Respiratory Therapy Program, which uses these ventilators in simulated healthcare laboratories where students learn and train for healthcare careers. For more information, see our article here.

4/9/20 - General

• Full Moon BBQ has extended their 'Feed a Friend' initiative through the month of April. To date, Full Moon has fed 13 families in the Birmingham area and will continue to do so every weekday throughout the end of the month. For more information, see our article here.

4/8/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham City Council — at its regular meeting for Tuesday, March 7 — voted unanimously to provide a total of $500,000 in hazard pay for one month for city employees who are working at the frontlines of the municipal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including first responders. For more information and more topics discussed at the meeting, see our article here.

4/8/20 - Hoover / 280

• The city of Hoover could lose between $8 million and $15 million this fiscal year due to the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting business shutdowns, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said in a letter to the public released late Tuesday night. The city administration developed a preliminary four-phase plan for dealing with the financial crisis and is in the process of revising that plan with input from the council. For more information from the mayor's letter, see our article here.

4/8/20 - 280

• During the April 7 Chelsea City Council meeting, a resolution approved to declare a local state of emergency in the city of Chelsea effective immediately in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will last through April 30, unless extended by action of the council or ending sooner if the state of emergency is declared by the governor that it should be canceled prior. For more information, see our article here.

4/7/20 - Mountain Brook

• The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce announced on Monday, March 6, that it is now taking donations for the second phase of a community-wide effort to help local businesses cope with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new second phase, called the "Mountain Brook Merchant Relief Fund," will provide financial help to some of Mountain Brook’s most vulnerable locally owned brick-and-mortar businesses of any type, including salons, retail stores and restaurants. For more information, see our article here.

4/7/20 - Hoover / 280

• Some Hoover City Council members say they are eager for the city to come up with a plan to address declines in tax revenues associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said his financial team has been meeting since March 12 to address the financial impact the new coronavirus could have on the city. For more information on these topics and other COVID-related topics from the council meeting, see our article here.

4/6/20 - Vestavia Hills

• While the city of Vestavia Hills does not plan to add any further restrictions outside of those created by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s stay-at-home order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the order will be enforced. Captain Johnny Evans with the Vestavia Hills Police Department said while the police will not be “going through backyards” to ensure everyone stays in their home, if they see or become aware of people breaking the order, they will ask them to go home. For more information, please see our article here.

4/4/20 - Hoover / 280

• Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato on Saturday encouraged residents to abide by the state health officer’s stay-at-home order issued Friday to prevent spread of the COVID-19 disease. Brocato said Hoover police will be enforcing the state order, just as they have the previous orders by the state and Jefferson County health officers, but authorities don’t intend to be heavy-handed. For more information and to view his video, see our article here.
• The Hoover City Council on Monday night will hold its first meeting via teleconference and video conference, as allowed by the governor during this COVID-19 crisis. However, the 6 p.m. meeting will be open to public participation. People can view the meeting on the Internet at this link or can participate via a telephone link at 1-877-309-2074 by using the code 286-506-049. For more information, see our article here. 

4/3/20 - General

• On Friday, April 3, Governor Kay Ivey issued a Stay at Home order to be applied statewide. It will go into effect Saturday, April 4, at 5 p.m. and will expire Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 5 p.m. On that date, it will be determined whether to extend, or if circumstances permit, to relax this order. For more information, see our article here.

4/3/20 - Mountain Brook

• When Mountain Brook schools transition to online learning on Monday, students will have flexibility in when they work on instructional material recorded and posted online by their teachers, schools superintendent Dicky Barlow told students and parents in a letter posted today. For more information, see our article here. 

4/3/20 - Homewood

• Starting Monday, April 6, students in Homewood City Schools will transition to eLearning. “Homewood teachers & students are grieving the premature end of the face-to-face school year,” said Patrick Chappell, director of instruction at HCS. “While nothing can replace the culture and sense of community that comes from a Homewood teacher's classroom, our teachers and administrators are working hard to bring a sense of normalcy back to families through eLearning.” Read more in our article here. 

4/3/20 - 280

• Over several weeks in March, John Lankford spent time talking to leaders across companies in healthcare about how dire things were with patients and care teams. Simultaneously, he was talking to chefs and restaurant owners and hearing how terrible things were for them. Out of this need, CareHealth, another initiative of Urban Avenues, was formed. The goal is to show gratitude for the healthcare community and their commitment to serve our city by providing meals to healthcare professionals across Birmingham. By utilizing local restaurants as the food providers, resources are poured back into Birmingham’s food industry as well. For more information, see our article here. 

4/2/20 - General

• Acton Quick Care Clinic is partnering with Assurance Scientific Laboratories to offer appointment-only COVID-19 testing for healthcare workers. They will perform visits via telemedicine and will have drive-up, self-swab stations. If you are a healthcare worker that has had known exposure or is having symptoms call or text 205-525-6133 to schedule your appointment.

The World Games, which was scheduled to take place in Birmingham next year, has been postponed to 2022 to avoid a clash with the Tokyo Olympics.

4/2/20 - Hoover / 280

• After three weeks of being shut down due to the new coronavirus, Hoover public school officials say they are ready to gear back up with instruction on Monday — just through alternative means. So while students won’t be physically coming back onto their campuses this school year, there is still work to be done through May 22, the official last day of school for Hoover students this spring. For more information, see our article here. 

4/2/20 - 280

• Heidi Marimberga started her charity, Heidi’s Kids, 12 years ago when her daughters were young. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Marimberga wanted to do something to help. The idea came from her 91-year-old grandfather who can’t work an app or computer to order groceries online. “We thought we could offer this service for free for people on a fixed income, those who can’t afford to pay, and all seniors over the age of 60,” Marimberga said. “We are also are delivering to anyone with a compromised immune system or disability. If you feel like you need the service, we will offer it.” For more information, see our article here. 

4/1/20 - Vestavia Hills

• Virtual instruction for students in Vestavia Hills City Schools will begin on April 6, and the school year will finish as scheduled on May 21, school leaders said in a statement on April 1. “We will be implementing a triage model of learning,” said Assistant Superintendent Aimee Rainey. “During the first week teachers will deliver the instructional plans created prior to spring break. We will be working to create instructional videos and streamlining the communication process for easy access with students and parents.” For more information, see our article here.

4/1/20 - General

• The supply of drinking water in Alabama is safe, so it isn’t necessary for residents to hoard cases of bottled water during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. “The water they get from their tap, whether it’s from a large municipal system or a small, rural utility, is 100 percent safe due to the proven safety requirements they are required to follow and that ADEM enforces,” said ADEM Director Lance LeFleur in a news release March 30. For more information, see our article here.
• April 1 is Census Day, and all of the Birmingham suburbs in the Starnes Media coverage area are reporting participation rates that are higher than both state and national participation rates. For those rates and more information, see our article here.
• Jefferson County has its first confirmed death from the COVID-19 disease, and this morning the state registered its 1000^th patient with the new coronavirus, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jefferson County is now 282, and two additional deaths are under investigation in the county, the state reported. For more information, see our article here.

3/31/20 - Hoover

• The city of Hoover is looking for volunteers this week to partner with Hoover City Schools and the Hoover Helps and Hoover Neighborhood Bridges organizations to help feed children while school is out for the COVID-19 crisis. The city and nonprofit groups are asking people to assemble bags of food that are ready to be handed out to children. For more information, see our article here. 

3/31/20 - General

• The Jefferson County Commission, in an emergency meeting Tuesday afternoon, agreed to purchase 55 hospital beds in case the county experiences a spike in COVID-19 cases that exceeds the capacity of hospitals. The beds are to be purchased from Jett Medical Co. for $80,750. The County Commission also transferred $1 million from the county’s catastrophic event fund to the general fund to cover that purchase and any other expenditures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the commission agreed to keep Jefferson County courthouses and other county facilities closed to the public through April 30.

3/31/20 - Homewood / General

• The Homewood Chamber of Commerce hosted a Zoom conference call Tuesday with local experts who discussed COVID-19 and shared resources for both employers and employees. Kyle Smith, an employment attorney at Sirote & Permutt, PC, shared information about the recent developments in the area coming out of the coronavirus stimulus package. One of those developments is called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and another recent development is the expansion of unemployment compensation benefits under the CARES Act. Then, Di Dipiazza, an accountant at DLHC, discussed loan opportunities for small businesses. For more information, see our article here.

3/31/20 - Vestavia Hills

• Vestavia Hills’ Candidates Day has been rescheduled to Monday, May 18, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Executive Conference Room of City Hall located on the first floor of City Hall. This serves as a way for those interested in running for office to learn more about the qualifications and requirements.

3/31/20 - 280

• The North Shelby and Mt Laurel Libraries will remain closed until further notice. Both libraries are posting information on their Facebook pages: facebook.com/northshelbylibrary and facebook.com/MtLaurelPublicLibraryAL as another way people can stay in contact. At the Chelsea Public Library, their doors are locked, but they are still providing curbside service. For more information, see our article on 280 Living.

3/30/20 - General

• LifeSouth and the American Red Cross are holding numerous blood drives in Jefferson and Shelby counties in the coming weeks to meet the critical need for blood. It’s important to keep in mind that appointments are required in order to minimize wait times and help donors maintain appropriate distances from one another. Appointments can be made at lifesouth.org or redcrossblood.org, depending on the organization conducting each blood drive. For more information, see our full article here. 

3/30/20 - Vestavia Hills

• The Vestavia Hills City Schools Hall of Fame nomination period was scheduled to open on April 1, 2020. However, in light of ongoing restrictions on school system operations as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Hall of Fame nomination period will be postponed at this time. We will provide new dates on the nomination process by mid-April 2020.

3/27/20 - Vestavia Hills

• Republic Services in Vestavia Hills will now accept cart contents only, and drivers will not be authorized to leave their vehicles to pick up waste outside the cart. Yard waste and bulk waste programs may be suspended at a future date, the waste service company said, and they may also need to use alternative disposal methods if there are disruptions to recycling processing capabilities, which will depend on the amount of contamination found in recycling.

3/27/20 - Mountain Brook

• Mountain Brook schools will switch to e-learning on April 6, Superintendent Dicky Barlow wrote in a letter to parents after Governor Kay Ivey's press conference on Thursday, March 26. The system already has distributed Chromebooks to some students. City schools had a plan in place before the mandatory closure, but facilities were shut down before students were able to grab their school-issued laptops. Mountain Brook schools also have been conducting "e-learning days" for a decade, which should help the transition to full-time distance learning for the rest of the school year, Barlow wrote.

3/26/20 - 280

• Shelby County Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks released a statement to parents via email on Thursday afternoon after the governor's announcement of Alabama schools closing for the rest of the school year due to the impact of COVID-19 on the state. To read the full statement, see our article on 280 Living.

3/26/20 - 280 / Hoover

• Hoover public schools, which have been shut down since March 16 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, will officially resume classes April 6 along with other Alabama public schools, per a directive by Gov. Kay Ivey today. Hoover officials sent a form to all parents to fill out, indicating what kind of internet access they have and whether they have an electronic device, Hoover schools spokesman Jason Gaston said. For more information, see our article on Hoover Sun.

3/26/20 - General

• Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced at a press conference on Thursday that students will not return to school until the fall. Schools had been suspended until April 6, but as COVID-19 cases continue to increase throughout the state, the governor said she signed a state of emergency to provide instruction from home beginning in 11 days. For more information, see our article on 280 Living.

3/26/20 - Vestavia Hills

• The Vestavia Hills City Council meeting scheduled for March 30 will proceed as scheduled, with a work session at 5 p.m. and the council meeting at 6 p.m. Due to the Governor’s proclamation and the Jefferson County Health Department’s Public Officer’s orders, the meeting will be limited to 10 individuals in the Council Chambers. In order to allow the public to participate in this meeting, directions for participation may be found on the City Council agenda web page and on the agenda itself. Members of the public have the opportunity to either participate by phone or by video conferencing through Zoom.com. Individuals that wish to watch but not participate may watch the live stream through the City’s Facebook page.

3/26/20 - General

• The Alabama Department of Public Health was reporting 474 cases of the COVID-19 disease in Alabama as of 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, including 144 cases in Jefferson County and 50 cases in Shelby County. There has been one death attributed to the disease in Alabama — in Jackson County. Health departments from surrounding states are reporting 48 deaths and 1,525 cases in Georgia, 23 deaths and 1,867 cases in Florida, six deaths and 485 cases in Mississippi, and three deaths and 784 cases in Tennessee.

3/26/20 - Downtown Birmingham / General

• Birmingham City Council President William Parker will hold a press conference with local faith leaders at Legion Field at 2 p.m. today to discuss efforts to open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at the facility, according to a Council news release this morning. The plan for drive-thru testing was approved by the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board this week. President Parker is now calling on county, state and federal agencies to help provide testing kits and medical personnel.

3/26/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The Hoover Restaurant Alliance and Bham Family Magazine are partnering in a promotion to support locally owned Hoover restaurants during the COVID-19 crisis. People can download and print out a game card that has squares with the names of 31 Hoover restaurants on it. When customers pick up their food curbside, the restaurant will stamp the card. For more information, see our article on the Hoover Sun.

3/25/20 - Vestavia Hills

• A Vestavia Hills High School student has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus, COVID-19. The student seemingly was exposed to the virus last week after schools were closed, Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Todd Freeman said in a statement. To read the full statement, see our article on the Vestavia Voice.

3/25/20 - General

• The number of patients admitted to UAB Hospital with COVID-19 disease has increased from 45 to 60 since Tuesday, UAB officials said today. Meanwhile, the number of cases in Alabama has increased from 215 Tuesday to 386 Wednesday, including 129 cases in Jefferson County and 42 cases in Shelby County, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state has not confirmed any deaths due to COVID-19, but officials in Jackson County on Wednesday reported a part-time employee in the Jackson County Courthouse died after contracting the virus that causes COVID-19. Health departments in surrounding states have reported 47 deaths in Georgia, 23 in Florida and three each in Mississippi and Tennessee. Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting 737 deaths related to COVID-19 and 54,453 cases. The World Health Organization on Wednesday morning reported 18,440 deaths and 414,179 cases globally.
• RedShift Creative is offering free weekly online seminar support meetings for the service industry and small business leaders to have a place to explore ideas, share their challenges, and stay strong in these unprecedented days, so when things get back to normal, they can be ready to rebound like never before. They will be held every Monday at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 2 p.m. Register for free at thinkred.co/covid19.

3/25/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham City Council — in a special called meeting on Wednesday, March 25 — voted to approve $1.2 million in funding for the Birmingham Strong Fund, an emergency loan program for small businesses in the city impacted by ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Businesses with under 50 employees will be able to apply for loans up to $25,000, with the average being around $10,000. Read more in our article here.

3/24/20 - 280 / Hoover

• Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato on Tuesday said Hoover officials at this time have no plans to enact a “shelter in place ordinance” like the Birmingham City Council adopted Tuesday afternoon. “But we do urge everyone to continue with all precautions, including social distancing and limitation of activities outside your home,” Brocato said in a news release. Read more on the Hoover Sun website here.

3/24/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham City Council voted unanimously this afternoon to adopt a new shelter-in-place ordinance that allows the city to legally enforce social distancing in the community and help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus before local hospitals are overrun with cases in the coming weeks. According to the language of the ordinance, it establishes a “public safety curfew” effective immediately and continuing at least until midnight on Friday, April 3. The curfew could be extended. Read more in our article here.

3/24/20 - Hoover / Homewood / Mountain Brook

• The Riverchase Galleria and Brookwood Village both are closed, including interior restaurants, due to the new coronavirus outbreak. While most restaurants in Jefferson County are allowed to offer takeout and curbside service, those inside the Riverchase Galleria mall are completely closed due to the fact that they lack exterior access, General Manager Mike White said. Restaurants on the Galleria campus that have exterior access, such as those on outparcels along the Galleria Circle ring road, are allowed to offer curbside, takeout and delivery service, White said. Also, retail stores considered by the county to be essential, such as The Home Depot, remain open. The interior of Brookwood Village, likewise, has been closed since 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, according to the mall’s website.

3/24/20 - Downtown Birmingham / General

• Mayor Randall Woodfin has announced a new shelter-in-place ordinance for the city of Birmingham. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance this afternoon at 4 p.m. The order would go into effect immediately. Woodfin’s press conference began at 1 p.m. at City Hall. The new ordinance will allow the city to help support the actions taken in recent days by the Jefferson County Department of Health, according to Councilor Hunter Williams.

3/24/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The city of Hoover and Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce are taking numerous steps to help business owners who are feeling the effects of the new coronavirus, including waiving late payment penalties for municipal lodging taxes and sales taxes for small businesses. Both the city and chamber have set up online resources to assist businesses and to help Hoover residents and visitors support businesses during the current crisis. More information can be found on the Hoover Sun website.

3/24/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• Orchestra Partners, a real estate development company downtown, announced March 20 it will offer a comprehensive rent holiday for its small business tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective immediately through June 2020, the rent holiday is designed to particularly support local restaurants, bars and retailers, according to a news release from the company. Orchestra Partners owns such developments as Five Points Lane, Founders Station, The Frank and The Woolworth. Tenants include Bayleaf Authentic Indian Cuisine, Cayo Coco Rum Bar and Restaurant, McFly’s Bird Shoppe, Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar, Post Office Pies, Saw’s Soul Kitchen, Trattoria Zaza, and The Woolworth Recreation and Refreshment.

3/23/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The city of Hoover today announced that Aldridge Gardens will reopen its grounds on Tuesday, March 24, after being closed since Wednesday, March 18. “We hope that the beauty and walking trails of the gardens will provide many with a peaceful and relaxing destination during this time,” the statement issued by the city said. Security will open the gates daily at 8 a.m. and close them at 7 p.m. However, the office and restrooms at the 30-acre campus on Lorna Road will be closed, and all events that were scheduled through the end of April have been rescheduled, city officials said. Anyone needing to contact officials for the gardens can call 205-682-8019 and leave a message. Staff members will check voicemail regularly, the city said. Read more here on the Hoover Sun website.

3/23/20 - General

• The homemade masks that people are making are not effective tools in preventing airborne infection of the COVID-19 disease, the state’s chief health officer said Monday. Many people have started making masks to give to health care providers and first responders, but the state does not recommend that health care providers or others use such masks unless they are N95 respirator masks, state health officer Dr. Scott Harris said. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alabama has risen to 167, with 79 of those cases in Jefferson County and 17 cases each in Shelby, Lee and Madison counties. So far, there have been no deaths attributed to the COVID-19 disease in Alabama, but the Georgia Department of Public Health is reporting 25 deaths out of 772 confirmed cases in Georgia. Nationally, there have been 400 deaths out of 33,404 confirmed cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Due to a national shortage of essential personal protective equipment and sanitizing products, Urgent Care for Children is now accepting donations at all five locations. Items needed include N95 masks, surgical face masks, non-latex gloves, disposable medical gowns and sanitizing wipes and sprays. Items must be in new condition. To donate, visit your nearest Urgent Care for Children or call 205-848-2273 to arrange drop off.

3/22/20 - General

• Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson on Sunday night clarified an order he gave Thursday, saying that all barber shops, hair salons and non-essential retail stores must close. He gave such businesses until 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, to close in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease COVID-19. Wilson on Thursday ordered that all “non-essential businesses and services” close and prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people. On Sunday night, he said he realized there was some confusion about his previous order and questions about which businesses are considered essential and which are not. He had listed many types of “non-essential businesses,” but some retail stores, barber shops and hair salons appeared not to understand that they were intended to be included in his order. Wilson did specify that grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware and building supply stores, technology businesses, office supply businesses, financial institutions and funeral homes are allowed to remain open.
• The closure of non-essential businesses and services includes: Other retail stores; Barber shops and hair salons; Entertainment facilities (including night clubs, bowling alleys, arcades, racetracks, indoor children’s play places, pool halls, adult gaming and entertainment venues); Recreation facilities, including gyms and fitness centers, swimming pools and spas (excluding licensed physical therapy services); Nail salons and spas; Casinos; Concert venues and auditoriums; Tourist attractions; Body art facilities and tattoo services; Tanning salons; Waxing salons/threading salons; Museums and galleries; Performing art centers and event rehearsals; Social clubs; Fraternity and sorority meetings and events; Proms, formals and social events. See the complete revised order here.
• As of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the Alabama Department of Public Health said there were 157 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama, including 71 in Jefferson County and 17 in Shelby County. Those totals are up from 134 cases statewide, 61 in Jefferson County and 17 in Shelby County as of 9:30 a.m. Sunday. There had been no known deaths from the disease in Alabama as of Sunday afternoon, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting 201 deaths in the United States, and the Georgia Department of Public Health is reporting 25 people in Georgia have died from COVID-19 out of 620 cases confirmed there.

3/20/20 - General

• Christ Health Center will continue their COVID-19 test site at Church of the Highlands Grants Mill campus on Saturday, March 21. Entrance will not be open until 6:30 a.m. and testing begins at 9 a.m. until the site capacity is reached. This will be the final day of operations at the Grants Mill Site.
• Birmingham-area hospitals and the Jefferson County Department of Health announced today their first appointment-based community coronavirus testing site — the Downtown COVID-19 Testing Site, which will begin seeing patients by appointment only Monday at 9 a.m., according to a news release from UAB. The site is sponsored by UAB Medicine and the JCDH. Beginning at noon Sunday, those who have symptoms of COVID-19 — cough, fever or shortness of breath — or believe they may have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 can call 205-975-1881 and be screened by a medical provider. The provider will then schedule an appointment time for testing at the downtown site if the caller has a positive screen for COVID-19 symptoms. The testing site will be located at the corner of University Boulevard and 22nd Street South.

3/19/20 - General

• The Jefferson County Department of Health on Thursday issued a new public health order, closing all “non-essential businesses and services” and prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. The new order takes effect Friday and will continue until at least April 6. All schools and child care providers with 12 or more children also must remain closed until at least April 6, but this deadline could be extended in the future, Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said. The COVID-19 disease is causing an increased number of deaths around the world, and Wilson pleaded with the community to cooperate with this order. Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens said “we are indeed at war” against “perhaps the greatest foe that we have faced since World War II.” See more, including details about businesses that must close, at this link.

3/19/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The city of Hoover today set up a helpline in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Hoover residents who need assistance in relation to the new COVID-19 disease and self-quarantine efforts under way can call the Hoover Helpline at 205-444-7877 anytime between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week. The helpline representative will take the request, try to find an agency that can help and relay the information back to the caller. The helpline is being manned by a small number of Hoover Public Library employees while the library is closed. They are practicing safe social distancing while providing the service, a statement from the city said. The city also is asking that any business or organization that is providing a service to help residents during this time to call the helpline and share what service they can provide for people.

3/19/20 - 280 / General

• Testing for the Coronavirus continued today at Church of the Highlands Grants Mill campus. 798 tests were administered today, along with 630 Wednesday and 347 Tuesday. Testing will continue tomorrow and follow the same schedule with the entrance opening at 6:30 a.m. and testing to begin at 9 a.m. Only those with symptoms of the virus will be tested and those with insurance will have claims submitted to them and those who are insured are not required to pay.

3/19/20 - Downtown Brimingham / General

• Council President William Parker has been in close contact with local officials and health experts about the possibility of opening Legion Field as a COVID-19 testing site. The goal is to have a drive-thru testing site for residents that is within the city limits of Birmingham. Currently there are only a few sites available in Jefferson County. “Legion Field sits on 100 acres with an ample amount of flat parking area which could handle the amount of traffic other sites have seen,” Parker said in a City Council news release March 19.

3/19/20 - Vestavia Hills

• A nurse at Aspire Cahaba River has tested positive for COVID-19. Residents and staff are being tested for the virus, and the facility is not allowing visitors at this time.

3/19/20 - Downtown Birmingham / Homewood

• Vulcan Park & Museum announced March 18 in a news release that it is closing Vulcan Center until further notice to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The park grounds, including Kiwanis Centennial Plaza, will remain open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, free of charge. All student and adult programs have been canceled. For any private event, prospective attendees are urged to contact the event organizer for more information.

3/18/20 - Downtown Birmingham / General

• UAB announced March 18 that there will be no more in-person/on-site classes for the duration of the spring semester. In addition, UAB will host virtual/alternative commencement ceremonies this spring instead of on-campus commencement ceremonies, according to a news release from Jim Bakken, the university’s interim chief communications officer and associate vice president. UAB announced an online/alternative instruction format on March 12, but “it is now clear that in-person instruction will not be possible for the remainder of the semester,” the release states.

3/18/20 - 280 / Hoover

• Aldridge Garden, a 30-acre public garden on Lorna Road in Hoover, is closing its campus at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday, March 18) to protect its visitors and staff from the spread of the new coronavirus and will remain closed indefinitely. Gardens' staff members have postponed all events until further notice and are reaching out to notify organizers. Anyone with an event scheduled between now and April 30 who has not been contacted or who has questions can contact Amanda Baker at abaker@aldridgegardens.com. Gardens staff members plan to update their website and social media sites daily and will check emails regularly, a statement from the city said.

3/18/20 - General

• Representatives at Church of the Highlands say everything went very smooth today at the Grants Mill campus testing site with no traffic issues. Capacity was reached approximately 2 hours after opening the entrance. Testing will take place again tomorrow with the same plan as today. Entrance will not open until 6:30 a.m. and testing will begin at 9:00 a.m. No one is charged for testing, insurance will be billed if they have insurance. Those who are uninsured pay nothing. If you don't have symptoms or have not come in contact with someone who has tested positive, you will not be tested.

3/18/20 - Downtown Birmingham / General

• The United Soccer League announced today, March 18, that a previously announced 30-day suspension of play due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended through Sunday, May 10, according to a news release from the director of communications and marketing for the Birmingham Legion FC. The Board of Governors of the USL Championship made the decision based on guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on restricting public gatherings of 50 or more people.

3/18/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The Hoover Public Library is closing at 2 p.m. today and will remain closed for an indefinite period of time, city officials said today. Since Monday, the library has been providing only lobby and curbside service, but the library will completely close at 2 p.m. The library also will not accept materials while it is closed, and fines will be waived for any materials which become due during the closure, officials said. Digital services are still available.

3/18/20 - Vestavia Hills

• Vestavia Hills City Schools is pleased to announce a partnership with Leadership Vestavia Hills to ensure students continue to be fed during spring break. Leadership Vestavia Hills’ Hunger Awareness Project will provide meals to students who may need them, March 23-27 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., while VHCS students and staff are on spring break. Families can pick up meals next week at the same locations where food pickup is taking place this week: Vestavia Hills Elementary West (for students along the U.S. 31 corridor) and Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights (for students in Cahaba Heights, Dolly Ridge, and Liberty Park communities). Girl Scouts of Vestavia are also providing snacks for students during meal pickups. Hunger Awareness Project organizers are partnering with local restaurants to provide meals and are requesting donations from the community to support the participating restaurants. Those interested in donating can do so by visiting here for more information.

3/17/20 - Homewood

• Mayor Scott McBrayer announced all Homewood city offices will be closed to the public March 18 through April 3. City employees will still go into work but will practice social distancing by remaining at least six feet apart.

3/17/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• Railroad Park will remain open and operational as of March 17, according to a news release today from Railroad Park Foundation. However, park attendees must adhere to the current Jefferson County Department of Health order to maintain social distancing, with gatherings of fewer than 25 people. Executive Director Camille Spratling said in the release that the park is “cordoning off some high touch areas, including the playgrounds and the fitness equipment along the 14th Street side of the park.” The tables and chairs on the 17th Street Pavilion have also been removed. All Railroad Park programs through the end of March have been suspended and all park events will be rescheduled.

3/17/20 - Mountain Brook / Downtown Birmingham

• The Birmingham Zoo is temporarily closing to the public effective Thursday, March 19, according to a news release on March 17. “Critical operations staff, including animal care teams and other selected employees, will continue working at the Zoo to provide vital care to our animals and infrastructure,” the release states. Until the Zoo reopens to the public, all March animal activities, programs and events, including camps, are canceled.

3/17/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The city of Hoover has announced several ways for people to keep up with news in Hoover related to the new coronavirus. Residents can sign up for text alerts by texting HOOVERCOVID to 888-777. You should immediately receive two brief messages in response, letting you know you have successfully signed up for the alerts. Also, the city has created a page on the city’s website that includes notices about city facilities that have been closed, links to health information related to the coronavirus, tips for supporting Hoover businesses during the virus outbreak and links for businesses to get help, such as the Small Business Administration. The page is supposed to be updated regularly, the city said. The city's website is hooveralabama.org.
• The Hoover City Council on Monday night voted 4-3 to declare a state of emergency and put a freeze on hiring, travel and conferences for city employees due to the expected drop in city tax revenues because of the new coronavirus. The council also said it would not entertain any budget amendments that cost additional money from the general or capital funds and put a hold on all capital projects unless the city is already contractually obligated to pay for the projects. Read more in our article on the Hoover Sun website.

3/17/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• Following an announcement that the Trump administration is asking Congress to approve an $850 billion economic stimulus package to combat the effects of coronavirus on the economy, Birmingham City Council President William Parker is seeking a meeting with Alabama’s Congressional delegation, according to a news release on March 17. This delegation includes Rep. Terri Sewell (D), Rep. Gary Palmer (R), Sen. Doug Jones (D) and Sen. Richard Shelby (R).
• The members of the Birmingham City Council voted today at noon to recess until today at 5 p.m. This followed a lengthy discussion about the financial implications for the city of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members are considering a possible $1.2 million loan fund to help small businesses in the city to stay afloat. There was also discussion of whether the city should proceed with using the $16.3 million surplus from the city’s FY 2019 budget to give city employees a cost-of-living pay raise and fund several capital projects in the city. Members voted to approve that allocation of the surplus monies on March 11, but they were to vote to approve some of those items individually on today’s agenda. There is concern that the city will need extra money for equipment and overtime for the first responders who will be at the front lines of the pandemic.

3/17/20 - General

• Jefferson County's chief medical officer, Mark Wilson, on Monday ordered all restaurants and bars to cease operation of their dining areas for a week, with only delivery or curbside take-out allowed, according to a report by BirminghamWatch. He also announced that gatherings of 25 or more people would be prohibited countywide for the time being. See the full report from BirminghamWatch here.

3/17/20 - Hoover

• The Riverchase Galleria has changed its hours due to the coronavirus. The mall will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
• After initially leaving the walking tracks open at the Hoover Recreation Center and Finley Center, the city of Hoover has decided to close both indoor walking tracks to the public. That means both buildings are completely closed to the public, as well as the rest of the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

3/16/20 - Homewood

• Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer declares a state of emergency at 4 p.m. Monday. "There is an existing and increasing possibility of the occurrence of Pandemic Emergency having an effect on the City of Homewood and the eminent danger of loss of life due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)," the proclamation reads.

3/16/20 - 280

• A parent of a student from Oak Mountain Intermediate School contacted the Shelby County Board of Education on Monday to let them know that one of their students has a confirmed case of COVID-19. Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks sent out communication to all the families that students attending Oak Mountain Intermediate and Oak Mountain Elementary may have been exposed through contact with this student, and encouraged monitoring for coronavirus symptoms. While schools are closed, the county has contracted with a professional cleaning company to have each of those schools cleaned and disinfected before students are scheduled to return on April 6.
• In coordination with the Shelby County Board of Education, the Chelsea Park & Rec Department will be suspending all youth sports activities effective immediately through Friday, April 3.
• The Chelsea Public Library is closed to the public at this time, but is operating curbside. Currently all programming has been cancelled for now, however, Tot Time will commence live on Facebook at 10:30 on Wednesday and Thursday.
• The North Shelby Library will be closed beginning Monday, March 16. Staff will be available Monday through Wednesday (March 18) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer phone calls and emails. As of now, they plan to be closed until April 6. This is subject to change as the situation develops.
• The Mt Laurel Library will be closed beginning Monday, March 16. They are scheduled to reopen on April 6 and programs can be found in our events calendar.

3/16/20 - Vestavia Hills

• The city of Vestavia Hills launched an alert center this morning, vhal.org/alert-center, where they will keep residents informed of any closings, postponements and other coronavirus-related news.
• All senior centers, including the New Merkel House, are closed, and the city's senior transportation program is suspended.

3/16/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• The Southern Museum of Flight announced today that it will remain closed until further notice, according to a news release this afternoon from the city of Birmingham. The Birmingham Public Library and the Birmingham Museum of Art also previously announced that they will be closed to the public, the release states.

3/16/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The city of Hoover is asking businesses, nonprofits and churches that are providing extra or altered services due to the coronavirus to share that information for distribution on the city's website and social media channels. For example, if a restaurant or business is now offering delivery due to decreased sit-down or in-store business, that service could be listed here. Free assistance programs also could be listed. Businesses, nonprofits and churches can share that information at this link.
• Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato today issued an executive order with directions for city departments that are designed to protect the public and city employees as the new coronavirus makes it way through the community. The executive order includes changes in city employee work schedules and locations and fiscal belt-tightening measures to help the city manage expected negative economic impacts. Read more about that on the Hoover Sun website and see the full press conference below:

3/16/20 - Homewood

• The Homewood Chamber of Commerce has canceled its 3/17 monthly luncheon and is working on donating the food to those affected by school closures. At this point, the Homewood City Council still plans to meet at 5 p.m. for their regularly scheduled committee meetings.

3/16/20 - Downtown Birmingham

• Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin — citing “unprecedented times for our city and the world” — declared a state of emergency in the city on Mon., March 16, due to the need to reduce the spread of COVID-19. He recommends that there be no in-person events with 25 or more people in the city, according to a news release from his office a little after 12 noon.
• The Birmingham Park and Recreation Board announced on Monday, March 16, that it will “immediately suspend all activities and programs” at several of its facilities in the city through April 6 due to the threat of COVID-19, according to a news release at about 1:15 p.m. Those facilities include “the fitness center, recreation and community centers, Highland Park Racquet Club, George Ward Tennis Center, James Lewis Tennis Center, Boswell-Highland Park and Roebuck-Hawkins Golf Courses, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Legion Field.

3/16/20 - General

• Christ Health Center is working with Assurance Scientific and Church of the Highlands to offer testing at Church of the Highlands Grandview campus, 3660 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35243, beginning tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Testing is limited to 500 people per day, and the center asks that people only come to be tested if they are experiencing symptoms of cough or fever or persons who have had direct in-person exposure to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Those wishing to be tested must enter on the Cahaba River Road entrance, as testing will not be accessible on U.S. 280. Lab testing will be billed through your insurance provider, including all major carriers, Medicare, and Medicaid. Church of the Highlands, Assurance Scientific, and Christ Health Center have established a fund to cover fees for those without insurance. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

3/16/20 - Vestavia Hills

• Vestavia Hills City Schools has released a video and written transcript with important information for parents, including when and where students can obtain free meals, check out a Chromebook and information on learning during the state-mandated break. The information can be found here.
• The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce is asking businesses to fill out a survey on what they're doing to help. The Chamber is compiling a list of what businesses are doing and will post it on their website and social media pages.

3/16/20 - General

• Assurance Labs COVID-19 testing has been moved to Church of the Highlands Grandview Campus located at 3660 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35243. This will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM starting Tuesday, March 17th. Assurance will NOT have Coronavirus Drive-Thru testing at either of our Acton Road in Vestavia or Memorial Drive in Bessemer.

3/15/20 - General

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday, March 15 recommended that people throughout the United States cancel or postpone in-person events with 50 or more people involved. Additional details here, including guidance for smaller events, can be found here.

3/15/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The city of Hoover on Sunday announced the closure of more city facilities in an effort to protect Hoover residents and visitors from the spread of the new COVID-19 coronavirus. Both the Hoover Recreation Center and Hoover Metropolitan Complex will be closed starting Monday, March 16, with the exception of the walking tracks at the Rec Center and Finley Center. Those walking tracks will be open and available during normal business hours, but children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The rest of the Finley Center will be closed, including the Hoover Climbing & Adventure center.

3/14/20 - 280 / Hoover

• The Hoover Public Library will be closed Sunday, March 15, and will reopen with only curbside service on Monday, March 16, during normal business hours. Patrons can call the library at 205-444-7800 to request items for pickup or use the library’s online reserve system by visiting hooverlibrary.org. While the library is open only for curbside service, the library will waive fines on all Hoover materials. Patrons also can access many online services, such as downloadable audiobooks, ebooks, videos, magazines and databases, on the library website. The library’s wireless network will remain available to use in the parking lot. Service updates will be posted on the library’s website and Facebook page, officials said.
• The Hoover Senior Center has closed, beginning Monday, March 16. However, Meals on Wheels will continue.
• Beginning Monday, March 16, all Hoover Municipal Court sessions are canceled until April 16, including driving school classes and court referral appointments. Other operations of Hoover Municipal Court will continue. Warrants can be obtained through normal procedures. Payments can be made online, through the mail or in person at the window. Motions and filings will continue to be accepted, and magistrates will be be available by phone and email and in person. People with questions about Hoover Municipal Court can call 205-444-7526 or email court@hooveralabama.gov.
• Athletic leagues that operate at facilities owned by the city of Hoover have decided to cease all games. This includes games at Hoover Sports Park West, Hoover Sports Park East, Hoover Sports Park Central and the Spain Park sports complex.
• Hoover school officials on Saturday night announced that, “out of an abundance of caution and concern for students and personnel,” all Hoover schools will close beginning Monday, March 16 — three days earlier that required by the governor. The governor on Friday had declared a state of emergency and ordered that all public schools in Alabama close beginning at the close of business on Wednesday, March 18, and stay closed at least until Monday, April 6. But Hoover and numerous other school systems have decided to close even earlier than that. All student absences, March 16 through April 6, will be excused, according to a statement released by Hoover schools spokesman Jason Gaston. All school-related activities, including athletics, will be canceled during school closure, the statement said. However, student meals will be available at Green Valley Elementary School at 3200 Old Columbiana Road next week (Monday through Friday) between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The meals will be in bags and available for people to drive up, grab and go, officials said. Twelve-month employees for Hoover City Schools are directed to report to work on Monday, March 16, to help prepare additional resources to answer people’s questions and concerns.

3/13/20 - Vestavia Hills

• All in-state and out-of-state field trips and professional development trips for schools are canceled immediately through April 30