Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday declared a state of emergency, due to the COVID surge. The governor said the declaration was limited in scope, and crafted to streamline the process for treating patients at hospitals. It will also allow expanded capacity in healthcare facilities, additional liability protections, increased authority for frontline health care personnel and easier shipment of emergency equipment and supplies. “I want to be abundantly clear: there will be absolutely no statewide mandates, closures or the like,” Ivey said in a statement. “This state of emergency is strategically targeted at removing bureaucracy and cutting red tape wherever we can to allow our doctors, nurses and hospital staff to treat patients that come through their doors.” The declaration came as the state confirmed nearly 4,000 new COVID cases and 41 deaths. More than 2400 people were hospitalized statewide.