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Cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus strain that has wreaked havoc on locales across the globe over the past several weeks, continue to grow in Alabama and it is difficult to stay on top of all of the updates.

As such, The Selma Times-Journal will keep a running tab on state, county and local updates, including school and business closures, cancelled events, relief efforts and assistance, throughout the outbreak in order to simplify the methods by which information is attained.

Please contact the Times-Journal with any updates regarding your business, organization or event so that it might be added to this list.

News and Resources

State Senate approves $5 M to fight Coronavirus

Coronavirus: State confirms first case, city prepares

With several cases reported, state takes action to stem spread of coronavirus

Charities step up during crisis

AISA suspends Athletic competition until April 6

Alabama Dems call for postponing March 31 runoff

Sewell updates public on efforts to fight virus

Committee outlines recommendations to fight virus

Public library continues to be a source of information during Coronavirus pandemic

Baseball, softball postponement highlights Valley Grande City Council meeting

Vaughan Regional Medical Center modifies visitation policy

Education Department launches new task force to assist school districts

Commission makes announcements in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Dallas County department heads declare ‘business as usual’ during COVID-19 pandemic

Ivey issues proclamation aimed at curbing spread of coronavirus

BBCF announces launch of COVID-19 Response Fund

Jones, Sewell call on Ivey to expand unemployment benefits

Sewell: These are ‘scary and confusing’ times in state

United Way sets up Community Relief Fund in response to COVID-19

Alabama businesses now eligible for disaster loans

Ag Department says state’s ‘food supply is secure’

Commission approves measures to fight COVID-19

Sewell introduces bill to aid rural hospitals during pandemic

Bush Hog institutes precautions while still bolstering ag industry

Virus: As state confirms first death, county sees first cases

RHMP to receive over $62K to aid in regional efforts to fight virus

Jones votes to pass strengthened Senate’s third COVID-19 relief package

Courthouse to close doors to public amid health crisis

Mayor orders quarantine, curfew in Selma

Selma Police Department prepared for city’s quarantine curfew

Coalition meets to discuss local virus response

ADEM: No need to worry, state water systems ‘safe’

Bill launches loans to keep workers employed

ADOL urges workers to apply for benefits under CARES Act

WCCS extends online instruction, postpones graduation

Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center cancels Pinwheel Garden Plantings

SCS hosts remote learning spirit week

TKO reaches out to families in need during crisis

http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/2019-coronavirus.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

 

Hospital

• The Vaughan Regional Medical Center (VRMC) will be limiting entry points to the facility and screening everyone who enters the building: employees, patients. UPDATE: March 19, 2020: Per a state health order issued earlier in the day, VRMC has implemented a “zero-visitor policy protocol,” aside from extenuating circumstances such as pediatric or obstetrics patients and those receiving end of life care. Patients scheduled for outpatient testing should enter through the emergency room or front lobby before proceeding to the designated testing area – however, no visitors will be allowed with an outpatient within the facility,

Schools

• Both the Selma City and Dallas County school systems have cancelled all classes until Monday, April 6.

• Meadowview Christian School (MCS) and Morgan Academy cancelled all classes at the end of the day Monday, March 16, and will tentatively reopen Monday, April 6. MCS is slated to reevaluate opening the school Thursday, March 26.

Closures and Cancellations

• The annual Selma Pilgrimage hosted by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society, has been moved to the weekend of April 24.

• The Center for Commerce’s annual meeting has been canceled. Anyone that purchased tickets with cash can be reimbursed – the funds have not been deposited, so checks will be voided, credits will be issued on charge cards and anyone that paid cash can pick up their reimbursement at the Centre for Commerce on Selma Avenue.

• The Old Depot Museum’s annual Low Country Boil fundraiser has been rescheduled forThursday, April 30.

• The Selma City Council has cancelled its Monday, March 23, work session and its Tuesday, March 24 meeting. The next meeting of the council, slated for Monday, April 6, will be closed to the public, with only media allowed to attend.

• The YMCA of Selma-Dallas County has canceled all youth and teen programs until Monday, April 6, including open basketball, after-school programs and youth sports. Additionally, all group exercise classes and water aerobics classes have been canceled until further notice. Further, all of its upcoming events, including the Daddy/Daughter Dance, BINGO and the Easter Egg-stravaganza have been postponed pending alternate dates. As of Friday, March 20, the YMCA has closed its doors to the public.

• Brown Chapel AME Church, Tabernacle Baptist Church and the National Voting Rights Museum have all canceled tours until further notice.

• The Selma-Dallas County Public Library will be closed until Monday, April 6, and is currently developing a book delivery program so children and others forced to stay at home can safely access reading material.

• Gallery 905 will be open only through appointments for the rest of March.

• The Alabama Career Center in Selma will be closed to the public starting Wednesday.

• The offices of the Dallas County Water Authority will be closed to the public beginning Thursday, March 19, through Monday, April 6. During the closure, payments can still be made via the following methods: checks and money orders can be dropped in the night drop box, located next to the drive-thru window; online at www.dallascountywater.com; by phone at 877-225-9321; or by mail at P.O Box 1413, Selma, Alabama, 36702. For additional assistance, call 334-872-2820.

• The office of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is closed to the public, though employees will still be working to assist business owners during the outbreak. (March 19, 2020)

• The Dallas County Extension Office is closed to the public until April 10 and all staff have halted face-to-face meetings and are working from home. (March 19, 2020)

• As of Friday, March 20, all Winn Dixie stores in the state will close at 8 p.m. nightly, with the hour between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. dedicated specifically to senior shoppers Monday through Friday.

• LifeSouth Community Blood Centers announced Friday, March 20, that some blood drives may be cancelled, moved or rescheduled as businesses continue to close. To learn more, visit lifesouth.org.

• The March 28 meeting of the Phyllis Wheatley Chapter #656 OES has been cancelled along with all other upcoming meetings, events and fundraisers until
further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Sturdivant Hall Museuem will be closed to the public until at least Monday, April 6.

• The Selma Times-Journal will close its office to the public effective Monday, March 23, though the closure will have no impact on covering the news in Selma and Dallas County.

Assistance

• The Edmundite Missions is offering “grab and go” lunches and dinners for seniors practicing social distancing, as well as “grab and go” breakfasts for students impacted by the recent school closures.

• Dallas County Schools will provide free meals to young people under the age of 18 Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and noon at Keith Middle High School, Tipton Middle School and Brantley Elementary School. For more information, contact Dallas County Child Nutrition Department Director Dr. Latonia Thrash at 334-419-2054.

• Selma City Schools will provide “grab and go” meals March 16 through March 20 and March 30 through April 3 – meals will not be served during the regularly-scheduled Spring Break – between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon at Selma High School and Meadowview Elementary School.

• Gospel Tabernacle Church has launched a “COVID-19 Community Response” that will serve “grab and go” meals to young people under the age of 18 Monday through Friday at a number of locations across the city: Gospel Tabernacle Church, 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.; Catering Place Restaurant, 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.; Water Avenue Baptist Church, 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.; Uniontown Recreation Center, 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.; G.W.C. Community Center, 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.; Felix Heights Community Center, 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.; Rangedale Community Center, 11:30 a.m. until 1: 30 p.m. and Valley Creek Community Center, 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Gospel Tabernacle Hopeline at 334-526-0484.

• Rural Health Medical Program (RHMP) is offering the following services to help residents cope with the COVID-19 outbreak: an expansion of virtual services per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, telemedicine audio triage line services, after-hours nursing line triage services, virtual care check calls and more. For more information, contact RHMP in Dallas County at 334-410-2235.

• On Friday, March 20, MainStreet Family Care announced that limited COVID-19 testing will be available at all of its 16 locations statewide, including its clinic in Selma. Call the clinic at 334-526-3240 for more information.

• On Friday, March 20, the United Way of Selma and Dallas County announced the establishment of a Community Relief Fund, with an initial allocation of $10,000, to address needs that will arise as a result of the pandemic. The fund will specifically help with feeding, emergency family assistance and aid for distressed nonprofits.