Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic

This is a Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic, documenting the chronology of local events and responses to the global Coronavirus pandemic.

December 2019

• The emergence of a new viral epidemic was reported in the city of Wuhan in China's Hubei Province.

January 2020

• January 20: China confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 had been transmitted from human to human.
• January 20: The first COVID-19 patient in the United States, a US citizen who had traveled to Wuhan, was reported in Seattle, Washington.
• January 29: A White House Coronavirus Task Force was assembled, primarily to plan travel restrictions for Chinese nationals while evacuating US citizens from China.

February 2020

• February 26: Vice President Mike Pence replaced HHS Secretary Alex Azar as head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

March 2020

• March 2: 100 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the United States.
  • March 6–8: The 2020 Bassmaster Classic was held at the BJCC.
  • March 11: The World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a worldwide pandemic.
• March 13: The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Alabama was reported.
  • March 13: Governor Kay Ivey declared a statewide emergency and ordered all public K-12 schools to be closed.
• March 15: 22 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across Alabama, with 12 in Jefferson County.
  • March 16: Jefferson County and the City of Birmingham declared emergencies.
  • March 16: Jefferson County Health Officer Mark Wilson announced rules restricting nursing home visitors, barring on-premises service at restaurants and bars, and closing private schools and pre-schools. His order also made it mandatory to obtain a permit to host an event with more than 25 attendees.
  • March 17: The Alabama Department of Public Health suspended on-premises food and beverage service for Blount, Shelby, St Clair, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties.
  • March 18: Governor Ivey closed all K-12 schools and public school athletics events until April 6. She also announced that the runoff elections would be postponed from March 31 to July 14.
  • March 19: Governor Ivey expanded the suspension of on-premises food and beverage service statewide, and also closed the state's beaches. State health officer Scott Harris warned that restrictions may be kept in place for 3–4 months.
  • March 19: Jefferson County ordered that all nonessential businesses and services to close the following evening, and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people.
  • March 20: The Alabama State Department of Corrections suspended transfer of inmates from county jails to state prisons. In-person college classes were suspended. Senior centers were closed and childcare centers were restricted to 12 children per room.
  • March 21: The IRS postponed the deadline for tax returns from April 15 to July 15.
  • March 24: The City of Birmingham passed a "Shelter in Place" ordinance establishing a city-wide curfew against lingering or congregating in public, with exceptions for essential business. Some public parks were barricaded to aid in enforcement of the curfew.
  • March 25: The first death attributed to COVID-19 in Alabama was recorded in Jackson County.
  • March 26: The state of Alabama announced that schools would remain closed for the remainder of the Spring.
  • March 26: Congress passed a large stimulus package including $1,200 direct payments.
  • March 27: Governor Ivey issued an order closing non-essential businesses and limiting non-work gatherings to no more than 10 people statewide. Non-emergency dental and surgical procedures were also restricted.

April 2020

• April 1: 1,106 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across Alabama, with 305 in Jefferson County. 17 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide. 1 of those deaths was recorded in Jefferson County.
  • April 3: Governor Ivey announced a statewide "Shelter in Place" rule requiring individuals to remain at home except when carrying out specific essential activities. Essential retailers were allowed to remain open at 50% of regular occupant capacity.
  • April 3: The Centers for Disease Control recommended face coverings in public settings.
• April 15: 4,241 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 628 in Jefferson County. 75 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide. 11 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County.
  • April 17: The Alabama National Guard began assisting in the sanitization of nursing home facilities.
  • April 21: Governor Ivey announced that the state's "Shelter in Place" order would remain in force through the end of the month.
  • April 24: UAB began administering antibody tests to screen candidates for a study of convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19.
  • April 28: The Birmingham City Council passed an ordinance requiring people to cover their nose and mouth with some type of mask while in public.
  • April 28: Governor Ivey announced a "Safer at Home" order to take effect on May 1, loosening restriction on some businesses and elective medical procedures and re-opening beaches for groups of 10 or fewer. The order included a recommendation to wear face coverings.
  • April 30: The Birmingham City Council relaxed the city's curfew hours to remain in effect from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM only.

May 2020

• May 1: 7,294 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 929 in Jefferson County. 289 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide. 48 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County.
  • May 5: A KC-135R Stratotanker from the 117th Air Refueling Wing performed a fly-over of area medical centers as part of "Operation American Resolve".
  • May 8: Governor Ivey announced that restrictions on gatherings, including at churches, would be lifted; and allowing restaurants, bars, fitness centers, barber shops and salons to reopen; with precautions to maintain distancing and sanitation.
  • May 11: State health officials issued restrictions on all non-work gatherings where 6-foot social distancing was not maintained.
  • May 12: Two C-130 "Hercules" transports from the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery performed a fly-over of area medical centers as part of "Operation American Resolve".
• May 15: 11,373 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 1,258 in Jefferson County. 483 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide. 71 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County.
  • May 15: Birmingham's "Shelter in Place" curfew expired.
  • May 15: The White House announced its "Operation Warp Speed" virus development partnership.
  • May 21: Governor Ivey further relaxed statewide shutdowns, allowing entertainment and sports venues, and child-care centers to reopen with hygiene and distancing procedures in place.
  • May 22: The Jefferson County Department of Health issued an order keeping entertainment venues closed.
  • May 29: The Birmingham City Council extended the city's mask ordinance to June 12.

June 2020

• June 1: 18,246 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 1,859 in Jefferson County. 644 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide. 101 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 3 more probable.
  • June 6: The Jefferson County Department of Health began allowing entertainment venues, but not night clubs, to reopen.
  • June 9: The Birmingham City Council extended its mask ordinance again, to July 3.
  • June 12: The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office began testing inmates at the Jefferson County Jail.
• June 15: 25,892 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 2,537 in Jefferson County. 769 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 5 probable. 117 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 1 probable.
  • June 22–29: Automatic Seafood and Oysters, Black Market Bar & Grill, Fancy's on 5th, Five, Chez Fonfon, Mayawell, Melt, and Trim Tab's taproom all announced temporary closures due to staff members testing positive for COVID-19.
  • June: A 5-member support team from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control began assisting the Alabama Department of Public Health to improve the state's reporting, analysis and communication of COVID-19 information.
  • June 29: The Jefferson County Department of Health ordered the use of face coverings inside public spaces, including stores, bars and restaurants, and on public transit.
  • June 29: A team from the Centers for Disease Control came to assist Alabama with its COVID response.
  • June 30: Alabama's "Safer at Home" order was extended to July 31.

July 2020

• July 1: 38,442 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 4,387 in Jefferson County. 947 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 25 probable. 142 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 2 probable.
  • July 3: Birmingham's mask order expired, and the city fell under the jurisdiction of the County's mask order.
  • July 10: ADPH changed from using the state's disease surveillance system (requiring manual entry) to the automatically updated Alabama Incident Management System to calculate the cumulative number of hospitalizations for COVID-19. The changeover resulted in an immediate jump in the number of hospitalizations, from 3,089 to 6,745.
• July 15: 58,225 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 7,449 in Jefferson County. 1,183 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 28 probable. 176 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 2 probable.
  • July 16: Governor Kay Ivey issued a statewide order requiring face coverings, to supersede all local orders and to continue through the end of July.
  • July 22: Interim Birmingham City Schools superintendent Mark Sullivan announced that the system would postpone in-person classes in the fall for at least 9 weeks.
  • July 26: The Alabama Beverage Control Board issued a 120-day order restricting on-premises alcohol sales to before 11:00 PM.
  • July 29: Governor Ivey extended the statewide mask order to August 31, and specified that it included students in classrooms in 2nd grade or above. She also announced that no statewide order would prevent schools that planned to re-open under current orders from doing so.
  • July 29: The Alabama Department of Public Health released an 85-page guidebook for safely reopening K-12 schools.
  • July 30: The Southeastern Conference announced a 10-game conference-only football season to begin on September 26.

August 2020

• August 1: 86,780 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 11,465 in Jefferson County. 1,553 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 50 probable. 225 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 2 probable.
  • August 3: The GuideSafe contact-tracking smartphone app was released to Alabama college students.
  • August 7: The AHSAA announces that high school football games will go on with reduced seating capacity and other precautions.
  • August 10: In-person classes began at Miles College
  • August 12: The Birmingham Board of Education postponed the start of online classes to September 8.
• August 15: 103,357 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state, with 13,905 in Jefferson County. 1,828 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 68 probable. 262 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 2 probable.
  • August 17: In-person classes began at the University of Alabama and Auburn University
  • August 17: The GuideSafe contact-tracking smartphone app was released to the general public.
  • August 18: The Southeastern Conference announced masks would be required at football games.
  • August 21: Alabama colleges began posting their own COVID case statistics.
  • August 22: The University of Alabama issued new restrictions against on- and off-campus gatherings.
  • August 24: In-person classes began at Birmingham-Southern College and Samford University
  • August 24: Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox ordered bars closed for two weeks beginning at 5:00 PM.
  • August 26: In-person classes began at UAB
  • August 27: Governor Ivey extended the statewide mask order to October 2.

September 2020

• September 1: 118,134 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 9,482 "probable" cases reported), with 16,072 (+607) of those in Jefferson County. 2,102 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 98 probable. 299 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 4 probable.
• September 15: 126,813 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 13,347 "probable" cases reported), with 17,597 (+784) of those in Jefferson County. 2,253 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 134 probable. 320 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 8 probable.
  • September 30: Governor Ivey extended the statewide mask order to November 8.

October 2020

• October 1: 138,162 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 17,582 "probable" cases reported), with 19,417 (+891) of those in Jefferson County. 2,405 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 143 probable. 341 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 13 probable.
• October 15: 148,659 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 20,503 "probable" cases reported), with 20,874 (+1,023) of those in Jefferson County. 2,590 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 175 probable. 351 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with 13 probable.

November 2020

• November 1: 165,239 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 28,746 "probable" cases reported), with 23,273 (+1,199) of those in Jefferson County. 2,767 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 206 probable. 374 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with another 14 probable.
  • November 2: All Birmingham Municipal Court hearings were postponed indefinitely.
  • November 4: The death toll from COVID-19 in Alabama passed the 3,000 mark.
  • November 5: Governor Ivey extended the statewide mask order to December 11 while loosening some restrictions on businesses.
  • November 5: Researchers began recruiting volunteers for human trials of COVID vaccine candidates.
  • November 11: Birmingham's Veterans Day parade was observed as a virtual event for the first time since 1947.
• November 15: 183,491 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 34,331 "probable" cases reported), with 26,146 (+1,433) of those in Jefferson County. 3,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 248 probable. 438 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with another 21 probable.

December 2020

• December 1: 210,037 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 42,863 "probable" cases reported), with 31,526 (+2,000) of those in Jefferson County. 3,280 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 358 probable. 456 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with another 45 probable.
  • December 7: Birmingham City Schools returned to remote learning exclusively.
  • December 9: Governor Ivey extended the state's mask order to January 22.
  • December 11: The FDA approved emergency use of Pfizer's vaccine.
• December 15: 247,003 COVID-19 cases were confirmed across the state (and another 55,530 "probable" cases reported), with 38,843 (+2,875) of those in Jefferson County. 3,642 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with another 482 probable. 512 deaths were recorded in Jefferson County, with another 53 probable.
  • December 15: The first doses of Pfizer's COVID vaccine distributed to Alabama were administered to healthcare workers. The Birmingham VA Medical Center was the first to administer the vaccine in Birmingham, and Lee Elm Creel of Snowtown was the first to receive it there.
  • December 18: The FDA approved emergency use of Moderna's vaccine.
  • December 27: A second stimulus deal was signed into law, bringing $600 individual payments.
  • December 30: Randall Woodfin tested positive for COVID-19.

January 2021

• January 1: 365,747 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 53,058 of those in Jefferson County. 4,872 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 719 of those in Jefferson County.
• January 15: 417,528 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 61,313 of those in Jefferson County. 6,030 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 888 of those in Jefferson County.
  • January 18: Alabama entered "Phase 1b" of vaccine distribution, extending immunization appointments to residents age 75 and over and to residents of communal shelters as well as first responders, including law enforcement and firefighters.
  • January 21: Governor Ivey extended the statewide mask mandate to March 5.
  • January 27: The first report was made of a COVID-19 "variant of concern" found in Alabama.

February 2021

• February 1: 460,860 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 60,544 of those in Jefferson County. 7,688 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 912 of those in Jefferson County.
  • February 1: The Alabama Department of Public Health launched a "COVID 19 Vaccination Eligibility Check and Scheduling Portal"
  • February 8: Alabama expanded vaccine distribution to residents age 65 and over and to additional categories of critical workers.
  • February 11: The 20th running of the Mercedes Marathon was postponed until 2022.
• February 15: 481,605 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 69,599 of those in Jefferson County. 9,244 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,308 of those in Jefferson County. 125,553 Alabamians had been vaccinated.
  • February 27: The FDA granted an Emergency Use Authorization to a third vaccine, a single-dose adenovirus-based candidate produced by Johnson & Johnson.

March 2021

• March 1: 493,769 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 71,073 of those in Jefferson County. 9,931 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,374 of those in Jefferson County. 272,294 Alabamians had been vaccinated.
  • March 4: Governor Ivey extended the statewide mask order to April 9, but urged citizens to wear masks as a matter of personal responsibility after that cutoff.
  • March 7: Congress passed a third stimulus bill, with individual payments of $1,400.
  • March 22: Vaccinations were made available to additional groups from Phase 1c of the state's distribution plan, including adults over 55 years old, persons with high-risk medical conditions, and more categories of essential workers.
• March 15: 508,229 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 73,525 of those in Jefferson County. 10,329 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,425 of those in Jefferson County. 459,636 Alabamians had been vaccinated.

April 2021

• April 1: 515,866 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 74,855 of those in Jefferson County. 10,553 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,466 of those in Jefferson County. 652,243 Alabamians had been vaccinated.
  • April 5: Vaccinations were made available to all Alabama residents 16 years old or older.
  • April 6: The City of Birmingham extended its mask ordinance through May 24.
  • April 9: Alabama's statewide mask order expired. Governor Ivey issued a "Safer Apart" order with no mandates, recommending Alabamians exercise common sense by maintaining social distancing and mask use.
• April 15: 521,201 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 75,398 of those in Jefferson County. 10,736 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,490 of those in Jefferson County. 818,600 Alabamians had been vaccinated.

May 2021

• May 1: 528,309 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 76,175 of those in Jefferson County. 10,913 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,488 of those in Jefferson County. 1,176,435 Alabamians had been vaccinated.
  • May 12: The CDC recommended vaccinating children aged 12 and up against COVID-19. The FDA had approved the emergency use of Pfizer's vaccine for that age group earlier in the week.
  • May 13: The CDC changed their guidelines to say that fully-vaccinated individuals could safely spend time indoors with others without maintaining social distancing or wearing a face covering. Exceptions were made for public transit and for anyone with suppressed immune response or symptoms of COVID.
• May 15: 539,829 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 79,827 of those in Jefferson County. 11,038 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,529 of those in Jefferson County. 1,254,544 Alabamians had been vaccinated.
  • May 24: Birmingham's city-wide mask order expired.
  • May 24: The University of Alabama System lifted mask requirements on its campuses for those vaccinated, excepting transit and clinical settings.
  • May 31: The statewide "Safer Apart" order expired.
  • May 31: Bama Tracker stopped tracking COVID data.

June 2021

• June 1: 544,045 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 80,260 of those in Jefferson County. 11,156 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,540 of those in Jefferson County. 1,354,602 Alabamians had been vaccinated.
  • June 16: The mass vaccination site operated by Jefferson County Department of Health and FEMA at WaterMark Place closed.

July 2021

• July 1: 551,140 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 81,309 of those in Jefferson County. 9,054 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,569 of those in Jefferson County.
  • July 6: Alabama's public health state of emergency ended.
• July 15: 557,594 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 81,955 of those in Jefferson County. 9,113 confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,581 of those in Jefferson County.
• July 29: 1,587,003 Alabamians had been fully vaccinated.
  • July 31: Mayor Randall Woodfin issued an order requiring employees and visitors to wear face-coverings indoors at all city-owned facilities.

August 2021

• August 1: 591,293 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 86,074 of those in Jefferson County. 11,541 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,591 of those in Jefferson County.
  • August 2: The Alabama Department of Public Health recommended that public K-12 schools require universal mask-wearing regardless of vaccination status. Birmingham City Schools opened for classes with a mask requirement in place. Homewood City Schools announced that masks would be required when classes resumed. Jefferson County Schools and Vestavia Hills Schools said that face coverings would be optional.
• August 15: 634,897 COVID-19 cases were reported across the state, with 91,744 of those in Jefferson County. 11,798 COVID-19 deaths were reported statewide, with 1,615 of those in Jefferson County.
  • August: Free rapid-test programs for public K-12 students were made available statewide by the UAB School of Public Health through a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • August 19: Jefferson County Health Officer Mark Wilson issued a "Call to Action" strongly recommending that owners and managers of indoor public spaces require visitors to wear face coverings for the next month.
  • August 23: The FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine, under the trade name "Comirnaty".
  • August 28: Charles Barkley headlined a vaccine rally organized by the UAB Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center at Legion Field.

September 2021

• September 1:
  • September 1: Vestavia Hills City Schools began mandating face coverings indoors.