Coronavirus In Alabama: Gov. Ivey 'Will Not Shut Down Businesses'

MONTGOMERY, AL — As COVID-19 cases and fatalities have increased exponentially throughout the country and in Alabama in November, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday a second wave of CARES Act funding for small businesses, non-profits and faith-based organizations in the state that have been impacted by the pandemic.

The "Revive Plus" grant totals $200 million, Ivey said. Ivey also announced Wednesday that she has no plans to close Alabama businesses amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.

"I will not shut down businesses," Ivey said via social media Wednesday morning. "The business community certainly has my support. As I’ve said many times, you cannot have a life without a livelihood."

The application period for the Revive Plus Grant Program will open at noon, Nov. 23, and run through noon, Dec. 4.

Alabama has confirmed 26,185 new COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks, twice reporting more than 2,800 new cases in a single day. The Alabama Department of Public Health reported Wednesday that 1,289 patients in Alabama are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.

The ADPH confirmed 2,638 new cases of COVID-19 statewide Wednesday. The state has confirmed 3,078 deaths from the virus since March, with another 274 deaths listed as "probable" from COVID-19.

The counties reporting the most new cases Wednesday:

• Jefferson County: 361 new cases, 28,781 total
• Madison County: 170 new cases; 11,691 total
• Shelby County: 158 new cases, 9,317 total
• Mobile County: 138 new cases, 18,834 total
• Marshall County: 132 new cases, 5,516 total

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