Alabama COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Alabama Update 3/30 : This morning Governor Ivey, Dr. Harris with ADPH, Secretary Canfield with Commerce, Dr. Mackey with Education, Major General Sheryl Gordon of ANG, and others hosted a teleconference to discuss COVID-19 response measures. 

Key points [Note form]: 

Governor Ivey: Army Corps of Engineers – team in MGM area visiting 6 areas in our state conducting facilities that can be used to provide additional hospital beds – Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Auburn / General Holland working with ADPH and supposed to provide findings this week 

FAQ document for businesses issued by Alabama Dept of Public Health (ADPH) – retailers can work, re-stock, carry-out operations, etc. OK as long as employees maintain 6 foot distance (doors closed to public only, not employees) / Retailers can do carry-out, curbside, and online sales 

Greg Canfield: Secretary Canfield and the Alabama Department of Commerce are working diligently to identify companies across Alabama that can manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) or who can quickly learn to make the items we are most in need of. They have identified 30 companies so far. 

Dr. Harris - ADPH: Cases in AL – 831 cases as of this morning, 15 deaths – publicly acknowledged only 7 because not all have been officially reported yet / up to 2,500 deaths nationwide

Issued new health orders on Friday exp. 17 April at 5PM – retail is controversial subject, trying to make decisions with social distancing / Attorney General’s office answers ADPH requests to ensure rules are being explained appropriately

Clinics opening in Macon and Dallas County today – Wilcox Wednesday – Houston Thursday / Wiregrass and Blackbelt now more testing – now 30 pop-up sites in these areas 

Hospitals using available space to add additional ICU areas 

Hospital unecessary capacity diminished (good) – because of recent health order prohibiting elective procedures 

PPE – ADPH received third and final shipment from strategic national stockpile / Allocation – a certain amount that is going to hotspot hospitals in crisis right now – using same formula based on size and reported needs of counties

Kenneth Butler - Finance: Finance dept goal to continue operations with social distancing – ensure payments are made to health providers, Medicaid, and vendors that provide services

Implemented plans that allows to do remotely if necessary, employees working at home continuing to process payments and transactions - all vendors are being paid 

2020 budget – expected revenues to decline – we have not seen a decline in the first 6 months of the fiscal year, we think that March receipts are based on February economic activity / expect to see sales and income tax decline in April’s number

Because of the strong first 6 months, do not expect to call proration in remainder of fiscal year

Governor included changes to normal purchasing rules so Alabama can acquire PPE we need

President Trump expanded social distancing order to 30 April