Birmingham, Alabama: Putting People First

Mayor Woodfin updates city response to COVID-19 Coronavirus 

Mayor Randall L. Woodfin urges residents to “be a good neighbor” and check on those vulnerable to the potential of COVID-19 – the new coronavirus discovered in China in December 2019.

“As of right now, there have been no cases of coronavirus confirmed in Alabama,” Mayor Woodfin said. “We have stayed in close contact with health officials and monitored updates from the Centers for Disease Control, Alabama Department of Public Health and Jefferson County Department of Health.”

The city continues to communicate with employees concerning protocols to encourage preventive actions and to ensure clean and sanitized city facilities in keeping with CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations.

Mayor Woodfin has also suspended non-essential travel by city employees for city business. Non-essential travel is travel considered not absolutely necessary to perform basic city services.

“As a community, we must move on with day to day life. We have city functions to perform. We have jobs, businesses, schools and families to maintain,” Mayor Woodfin said. “But we must all work together as a community to take preventive steps identified by the CDC.”

The CDC has advised:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap is not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes.
• Stay home if you feel sick.

The CDC does not recommend that people wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses. Only wear a facemask if you already have symptoms so you can prevent the spreading of germs.

The CDC identifies certain people as a higher risk for getting very sick from coronavirus.

• Older adults
• People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease

The City of Birmingham provides updates and links concerning coronavirus at www.birminghamal.gov/coronavirus.