Birmingham council keeps some focus on coronavirus

Birmingham City Council on Tuesday heard from county health officials about how and in what ZIP codes COVID-19 has hit.

Members had been asking for specific information about distribution of the disease for weeks. Jefferson County Health officer Dr. Mark Wilson said the information by ZIP code is now available through the department’s website. In areas where there are too few cases, and there are fewer than 20,000 residents, the department combined areas to protect individual identities, Wilson said.

Deputy health officer Dr. David Hicks also briefed the council on efforts to keep the public informed. Council plans to push more public announcements via media, but asked for other methods to get the word out.

Both health officers emphasized use of a service available via mobile phone text that will deliver updates on health issues and alert about new testing sites. Residents can send a text message to 888-777, then type INFOJEFFCO. That creates a subscription to the service.

The demographics, information about test sites, food giveaways and more is kept current on this county COVID page.

Hicks said the county is helping to determine the best and safest methods to reopen schools and to keep city and county residents safe. “If we open things up in the city, we can’t let our guard down," Hicks said.

Wilson said Birmingham’s efforts on curfews, facemasks and restrictions have been effective. “I believe you have saved lives,” he said.

“COVID-19 is still the most pressing thing we have going on in this country right now,” Councilor Steven Hoyt said.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.