Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued her twenty-sixth supplemental emergency proclamation transitioning the state from an amended Safer at Home Order to a new Safer Apart Order, the third phase of COVID-19 pandemic health orders. Masks will no longer be mandated statewide, but individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people. This order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 and extends until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

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Q: Does COVID-19 affect people with different blood types differently?

There is some [evidence](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/vox.13076) that having Type O blood may be linked with lower risk of contracting COVID\-19 and having Type A blood may be linked with a greater risk of contracting COVID\-19 and occurence of severe disease. However, many other factors, such as age or existing health conditions, are likely to play a larger, dominant role in determining personal risk from COVID\-19. In other words, having Type O blood is in no way license to stop following COVID\-19 prevention measures. Updated 18 February 2021

Does COVID-19 affect people with different blood types differently?

There is some evidence that having Type O blood may be linked with lower risk of contracting COVID-19 and having Type A blood may be linked with a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and occurence of severe disease. However, many other factors, such as age or existing health conditions, are likely to play a larger, dominant role in determining personal risk from COVID-19. In other words, having Type O blood is in no way license to stop following COVID-19 prevention measures.

Updated 18 February 2021