Gov. Kay Ivey declares state of emergency in Alabama

Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a state of emergency for Alabama.

All public schools K-12 in the state will be closed for 2.5 weeks, starting March 18, to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said there are now two confirmed cases in the state. One case is in Montgomery and the second in Jefferson County.

There are three other preliminary cases in the state currently.