MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has introduced a new tool that allows policy makers and others viewing it to recognize the COVID-19 risk status in each county and to guide health behavior. The new COVID-19 Risk Indicator Dashboard is located on the ADPH website at alabamapublichealth.gov. Access the dashboard directly at https://bit.ly/2ZvqDlo.
COVID-19 data has been collected since March 6 when State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris issued an emergency order declaring COVID-19 reportable, which means that individuals and entities known as required reporters must notify ADPH within a specified timeframe of any case of COVID-19, and laboratories must report all negative and positive SARS-CoV-2 test results. Required reporters include healthcare providers, healthcare facility administrators and medical examiners.
Calculation for each county’s risk of COVID-19 spread in the community is based on the increasing or decreasing trend in the number of new cases each day. The number of new cases each day is determined with a rolling 3-day average to account for fluctuations in reporting. The main indicator for decreasing risk of COVID-19 spread in the community is the number of days the county has experienced a downward trend of new cases. Several factors can influence a county’s number of new COVID-19 cases, so other factors are examined to additionally inform the level of a county. A detailed explanation of how the overall risk level is determined is located on the COVID-19 Risk Indicator Dashboard.
A color-coded state map displays four risk levels: very high, high, moderate and low indicated in red, orange, yellow and green, respectively. When a county is shown in green, it does not mean the public should resume their pre-pandemic activities; the green color just indicates a lower comparative risk in this ongoing process.
“We are committed to protecting the health and safety of Alabamians by giving guidance based on the best science and public health practices available,” Harris said. “We will continue to maintain and update the statewide data and metrics and provide consistent localized data for use in local decision-making for reopening plans.”
ADPH fliers describe actions that should be taken depending on risk level, and each phase has several guidelines in common which are needed regardless of risk phase. These are social distancing of 6 feet in public settings, wearing cloth face coverings (when social distancing is difficult to maintain), and proper hand hygiene. In addition to general guidelines, recommendations are also provided for high-risk individuals and children.
People at high risk are encouraged to operate under stricter adherence because they are more likely to suffer severe illness from COVID-19. Those at high-risk include people 65 years old or older and people with heart disease, diabetes, other chronic diseases or weakened immune systems. These people should exercise extreme caution, use face coverings when around people outside their households, and take other measures such as staying at least 6 feet from people outside their households. People who work or live with high-risk people should also continue following extra precautions to reduce their chances of getting the virus, regardless of phase.
These are the recommendations for Alabama residents based on the four identified phases:
Red – Very High Risk
- Wear face coverings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Even when visiting family or friends, wear face coverings when within 6 feet of people outside your household.
- Avoid all unnecessary travel. If you must travel, avoid crowded areas if possible.
- Telework if possible. If not, maintain a 6-foot distance from others and wear face coverings at work.
- Takeout, pickup or delivery from restaurants is strongly encouraged rather than dining in.
- Avoid groups of more than 20 people.
- Avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, nursing homes or other residential care facilities.
- Worship online or keep 6-foot distances between people of different households.
- Children with COVID-19 should stay home or be sent home for school or child care if showing symptoms. Limit public interaction between children and do not allow children on public playgrounds.
Orange – High Risk
- Continue social distancing at work, work from home when possible, and wear face coverings at work when social distancing is impossible.
- Limit out-of-state travel.
- Takeout, pickup or delivery from restaurants is encouraged rather than dining in.
- Maintain social distancing during outdoor recreation.
- Hold online workshop services if possible. When meeting in person, keep 6-foot distances between people of different households, consider holding more services for lower attendance, and more spacing between people at each service.
- Keep children away from in-person playdates or similar activities outside of the school setting if avoidable and do not allow children on public playgrounds.
Yellow – Moderate Risk
- Avoid groups of more than 50 people.
- Keep 6-foot distances from people outside your household in theaters and other entertainment venues.
- Check for fever, coughing or other symptoms of COVID-19 before team games or practices.
- Hold online worship services if possible. When meeting in person, keep 6-foot distances between people of different households; consider holding more services for lower attendance, and more spacing between people.
- Children should keep a 6-foot distance from others outside their household, those with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school or child care, limit interaction between children at playgrounds and other public places.
Green – Low Risk
- Continue social distancing at work and wear face coverings at work when social distancing is impossible.
- Large gatherings and venues are allowed with increased hygiene measures, physical distancing, face coverings and symptom monitoring.
- Check for fever, coughing or other symptoms of COVID-19 before team sports or practices.
- Stay home if sick.
- Places of worship are encouraged to consider social distancing, hygiene measures and face coverings.
- Children should follow hygiene measures, physical distancing, wear face coverings and monitoring for symptoms are encouraged for all group gatherings.
The current state health order and additional COVID-19 information can be found at alabamapublichealth.gov.
