Alabama COVID surge means longer waits for test results

Health officials in Alabama say a surge in coronavirus cases has overwhelmed Alabama's ability to provide test results within the expected 2- to 3-day turnaround. The Alabama Department of Public Health says the current timeframe for results for most COVID-19 testing performed in Alabama by commercial laboratories and the state laboratory is now averaging about a week. The department asked health providers to limit testing to the "most vulnerable" and asked employers not to require employees to test negative for the virus before returning to work.