More Than 600 Coronavirus Cases In Alabama, 3 Deaths

MONTGOMERY, AL — By Friday afternoon, more than 600 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public Health reported that of 4,755 people tested, 639 tested positive for the virus, and there are three known fatalities from the disease.

Earlier Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses in the state, and Thursday announced that all K-12 schools in Alabama would closefor the remainder of the school year.

Two weeks have passed since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the state, and since then, health officials have seen an exponential rise. Jefferson County remains the county with the most cases, with 177 reported.

More than half of the cases are concentrated in four counties:

• Jefferson: 179
• Shelby: 70
• Madison: 61
• Lee: 53

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The Alabama Emergency Management Agency issued a statement Friday urging all Alabama residents to stay at home unless under limited circumstances.

"The public is reminded to stay home if sick except to seek medical care," the AEMA stated. "Cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and keep a six-foot distance between yourself and others. Fines for each violation of the health order are up to $500."

While Ivey did not specifically place Alabama under a shelter-in-place order, she did say she would support any municipal or county leaders making such an order.

"I support our mayors throughout the state if they feel they need to take additional steps in response," she said. "If people want to do more individually by imposing your own shelter in place, you don't need my permission to do so."

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