Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris urged Alabamians, especially those in Montgomery County, to stay vigilant and exercise caution as the county and surrounding areas have been identified as a potential COVID-19 “hot spot.”
Over the last seven days, 232 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Montgomery County, bringing the total number of cases there up to 765 as of Friday evening.
Montgomery County reported more new cases than Mobile and Jefferson counties over the last seven days. Mobile and Jefferson have the most cases in the state at 1,637 and 1,246, respectively.
“Let me be abundantly clear: the threat of COVID-19 remains,” Ivey said. “Montgomery, Alabama has been identified as a spot to watch as COVID-19 cases rise, and the virus continues to be present across the state. This health crisis is not behind us.”
Harris said the increase is attributable, in part, to increased testing in Montgomery County.
“We have seen Montgomery, Alabama identified as a potential hot spot to watch, and we will continue urging residents to stay smart and vigilant, as the governor has reminded us all to do,” Harris said. “One reason for the higher numbers is that testing has been increasing in Montgomery and surrounding counties, but we still must take this virus seriously and practice social distancing.”
More data is available on our data and mapping dashboard.
As of Friday afternoon, at least 11,216 Alabamians have tested positive for the virus. At least 476 have died, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
“I urge Alabamians to stay smart and vigilant as we continue practicing social distancing guidelines to combat this virus. Let us do our part and practice personal responsibility,” Ivey said. “Alabamians have made sacrifices over the last couple of months, and each of us must continue doing all we can to stay safe and protect our own health, as well as our neighbors’ health. We are in this together, Alabama.”
Ivey’s full statement:
“Over 11,200 of our citizens have been diagnosed with the virus and, sadly, 476 have lost their lives due to COVID-19. More than 400,000 people have filed for unemployment during the last few weeks, which is more than the previous two years combined. While no one could have predicted COVID-19, it is easy to conclude this pandemic has touched every aspect of our daily lives.
“Alabamians are hurting, and I am committed to helping these hundreds of thousands of people and every Alabama family restore their livelihoods. For that reason, we have been taking steps to safely reopen our state’s economy.
“Let me be abundantly clear: the threat of COVID-19 remains. Montgomery, Alabama has been identified as a spot to watch as COVID-19 cases rise, and the virus continues to be present across the state. This health crisis is not behind us.
“I urge Alabamians to stay smart and vigilant as we continue practicing social distancing guidelines to combat this virus. Let us do our part and practice personal responsibility. Alabamians have made sacrifices over the last couple of months, and each of us must continue doing all we can to stay safe and protect our own health, as well as our neighbors’ health. We are in this together, Alabama.”
Harris’s full statement:
“The Alabama Department of Public Health wants to remind those in Montgomery County of the importance of social distancing practices, as well as good sanitation practices and hygiene. It takes two or three weeks to know the effects of loosening public gathering restrictions, so we especially need our senior citizens and those with chronic health conditions to avoid gatherings, minimize trips out of the house, and stay away from others who are sick.
“We have seen Montgomery, Alabama identified as a potential hot spot to watch, and we will continue urging residents to stay smart and vigilant, as the governor has reminded us all to do. One reason for the higher numbers is that testing has been increasing in Montgomery and surrounding counties, but we still must must take this virus seriously and practice social distancing.
“In the past two weeks there have been 2,767 cases confirmed and 476 deaths from COVID-19 statewide. We will continue closely monitoring the evolving situation and will keep working toward overcoming this virus, regaining our livelihood.”
