Official: Alabama students with virus had parties

Tuscaloosa joined the short list of Alabama cities requiring face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus after an official said students who knew they were infected with the virus had attended parties in the area.

City council members unanimously approved a mask requirement during a meeting Tuesday, news outlets reported.

The rule is expected to last about a month, and violators in the city of about 100,000 people could face a US$25 fine.

The Tuscaloosa council acted after Fire Chief Randy Smith told members that an investigation showed some students in the area had attended parties over the past few weeks despite knowing they had tested positive for the virus.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

The vast majority of people recover.