First Coronavirus Case Confirmed In Alabama

MONTGOMERY, AL — The first case of the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was confirmed in Alabama on Friday, the Alabama Department of Health said. Alabama was one of just a handful of states that had not reported a case as the number of coronavirus illnesses has grown across the country in the past two weeks.

The patient tested positive for the virus at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, the department of health said.

"The Alabama Department of Public Health has worked hard to prepare and has anticipated receiving a report of the first case of COVID-19 in an Alabama resident," Dr. Scott Harris, the state health officer, said in a statement. "We continue to recommend that people be prudent and encourage them to use proper hygiene behaviors such as handwashing, not touching their faces with unwashed hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if they have fever. As a precaution, it is suggested that any gatherings of more than 500 people be postponed or canceled."

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"Along with my fellow Alabamians, I have closely monitored the rapidly changing events regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)," said Gov. Kay Ivey in a statement. "As a state, we have taken precautionary measures and made preparations in the case that the virus would eventually reach our state. As I have emphasized time and again, the safety and health of Alabamians is paramount."

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Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said Thursday he believes cases are spread throughout the state already, even though Friday's announcement was the first confirmed case in the state.

The Jefferson County Department of Health made a series of recommendations to the public to help slow the spread of the virus and to keep residents safe:

• Cancel any gathering of more than 500 people
• People over the age of 65 should avoid gatherings of people including cruise travel, air travel and recommend restricting shopping to times when stores are less busy.
• Get a flu shot if you have not already
• Wash hands, use hand sanitizer
• Try to stay at least six feet away from others

"I would argue Jefferson County has increased risk of COVID-19 and spread of COVID-19 given our number of people, airport, interstate systems," Wilson said.