Coronavirus In Alabama: Ivey Extends Mask Order Into March

MONTGOMERY, AL — Gov. Kay Ivey's mandatory mask order was set to expire Friday, but in an announcement Thursday, the governor extended the Safer at Home order — which includes mandatory face coverings — through March 5.

"After the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the COVID numbers are higher than they were over the summer," Ivey said. "Quite frankly, we have run out of ways to stress that we must take this seriously."

Ivey updated Alabamians on the vaccine distribution in the state. She urged people not to call the vaccine hotline if they are not part of the current phase of the vaccine roll-out. The number and website became overloaded shortly after it was introduced last week.

Alabama this week began making vaccines available to people 75 and older in addition to health care workers and first-responders.

Dr. Scott Harris with the Alabama Department of Public Health said he realizes that many people in the state are frustrated regarding the vaccine roll-out, but said he is committed to making sure everyone who wants a vaccine gets one.

Harris said he expects changes to the vaccine distribution process to come with the new presidential administration. He said when Pres. Joe Biden's plan is announced the state will relay that new process as soon as possible.

Harris also announced a partnership with Walmart to administer COVID-19 doses, and said details are still being finalized.

More than 200,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Alabama, out of the 446,150 doses delivered to the state. Alabama has been allotted 640,150 doses. Harris said many of the doses that have been delivered to the state are actually second doses, which accounts for the low percentage of administered vaccines.

The Alabama allocation plan is as follows:

Phase 1A:

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

Phase 1B:

• People with 2 or more of the defined comorbidities and underlying conditions (Over 65; Living in congregate or overcrowded settings including nursing homes, long‐term care, homeless shelters, group homes, prisons, or jail; Those with serious underlying conditions, for example: cancer, serious heart conditions and sickle cell disease).

Phase 1C:

• Persons in identified age groups at risk for COVID 19 associated morbidity and mortality not included in Phase 1 b
• Persons with high risk medical conditions
• Critical workers not recommended for vaccination in Phase 1b

Phase 2:

• K-12 educators and school staff
• Persons at increased risk, and those in prison/jail and prison/jail staff not included in Phase 1

Phase 3:

• Workers in critical infrastructure
• Young adults, children, people who are pregnant

Phase 4:

• General population not included in earlier phases

SEE ALSO:

Legion Field To Become COVID-19 Vaccine Center

New Coronavirus Cases Down In Jefferson County