Updated at 9 p.m.
The Alabama Department of Public Health and Governor Kay Ivey have confirmed Alabama's first COVID-19 related death.
"We express our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of the patient who died, as well as to the families of everyone who has been affected by this outbreak," State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said. "The health of our residents and the community is our greatest priority, and we will continue working together to care for the patients, protect the safety of health care workers, and protect the people in our state."
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Updated at 7 p.m.
Published reports say ADPH denies confirming the Jackson County COVID death. Jackson County officials reportedly stand by their statement of the incident.
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Originally posted at 5:30 p.m.
AL.com and the The Gadsden Times report Alabama has had its first death from the Coronavirus.
The Alabama Department of Public Health confirms that the fatality was a part-time employee of the Jackson County courthouse, the reports said. County workers have been notified, and none has reported symptoms.
County leaders say the COVID patient was not in a position to be in contact with the public. The area where the victim worked is being sanitized, and no staffers will be allowed back until April 6th at the earliest. The death occurred twelve days after Alabama’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported.
