From The Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Public Health rolled out a new map on its online coronavirus dashboard, showing the 14-day trend for each county.
The color-coded map can be used to inform the public and policymakers of the risk status in each county, according to State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris.
“We’re going to use this mechanism as a way of letting you get just a quick glimpse of what’s going on in your county, throughout the state,” said Harris Tuesday during a press conference.
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The colors of the map are red, orange, yellow and green. Each color indicates a certain level of risk. Red is “very high” and green is “low.” Dr. Harris said that a county in green doesn’t mean there is no risk, but that it has a lower comparative risk. He said green counties should continue practicing social distancing and other preventative measures.
Depending on the color of a county, there are suggested actions and guidelines by the ADPH. Those recommendations are listed below.
Recommendations are also provided for high-risk individuals and children.
You can also watch Dr. Harris’ full press conference with Gov. Kay Ivey below.
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 six 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 six-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 six-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 worship services if possible. When meeting in person, keep six-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 six-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 six-foot distances between people of different households; consider holding more services for lower attendance, and more spacing between people.
· Children should keep a six-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.