Alabama Coronavirus Update: Ivey Extends Mask Order Into January

MONTGOMERY, AL — With new cases of COVID-19 hitting all-time highs almost daily in Alabama in December, Gov. Kay Ivey extended the statewide Safer at Home ordinance — which includes the mandatory mask order — through Jan. 22.

Ivey's news conference Wednesday emphasized the need to stay socially distanced and for Alabamians to stay vigilant against further spread of the virus.

"We look forward to the days when we can greet one another again," Ivey said. "However this is one sacrifice we can all make to keep our loved ones safe."

Ivey said she feels wearing a mask is the most effective and easiest way to curb the spread of the virus, despite what skeptics have said.

"I am not trying to be 'Governor Meemaw," Ivey said, referencing a name she is often called on social media by critics. "I am just trying to urge all of y'all to be smart."

Ivey said she and her team have not considered a total lockdown statewide, adding that the mask mandate is what keeps the state's businesses and schools from closing completely, as some states have experienced.

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in Alabama. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

As of Wednesday, the state is averaging nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 cases per day over the last two weeks. Alabama's 2,960 new cases per day has surpassed any 14-day average over the course of the pandemic

The state is also nearing 4,000 total deaths from the virus, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Alabama's hospitals have filled up in November and December, as 2,097 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in the state's hospitals.

Dr. Scott Harris of the ADPH said the total hospitalizations in Alabama are about 500 more than the peak the state hit in July.

"If you had a 747 crash every month for the last ten months, that’s about how many people we’ve lost in the past ten months in our state," Harris said.

Harris said Alabama will receive a vaccine sometime in the next week, pending approval.

"When we get the eventual vaccine it is expected to be the Pfizer product," Harris said. He said due to the vaccine's temperature storage requirements, only 15 facilities are equipped to store the vaccine, but the vaccine will be ready to administer as soon as it is approved.

Harris stressed that the 41,000 doses Alabama will get initially will go to people who are listed in the state's Phase 1A group:

• Frontline health workers, including clinical and non-clinical, in hospitals, nursing homes, or those providing in-home or mental health care directly.
• Workers in health care services such as those providing transportation and environmental services and those in mortuary services
• First responders

"We think that by the spring there will be a lot more vaccine available, and most Alabamians will get the vaccine," Harris said.

SEE ALSO:

• How Long Is The Wait For A COVID-19 Vaccine In Your County?
• Will You Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? Take The Patch Survey