Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Health

Alabama breaks daily COVID-19 case, hospitalization record again Thursday

Coronavirus hospitalizations reached another record high for the fourth time in so many days.

Downtown Huntsville Alabama, aerial view from just south of Twickenham Square and the hospital

For a second straight day, Alabama’s daily COVID-19 case count was at a record high on Thursday, and coronavirus hospitalizations reached another record high for the fourth time in so many days.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 3,531 new cases Thursday, and the state has averaged 2,461 cases each day for the last two weeks, a 28 percent increase over the previous two weeks. 

The latest White House Coronavirus Task Force state report for Alabama, released Sunday, shows that shows 90 percent of Alabama counties had moderate or high levels of community transmission last week, while 64 percent had high transmission levels. The state ranked 19th highest in the percentage of tests that were positive. 

Coronavirus is surging across the country, with cases per day increasing more than seven times the levels seen in the U.S. before the summer surge, and hospitalizations are three times as high now as then, according to the report. The U.S. reported record high cases and deaths Wednesday. 

“It must be made clear that if you are over 65 or have significant health conditions, you should not enter any indoor public spaces where anyone is unmasked due to the immediate risk to your health,” the report states. “You should have groceries and medications delivered.” 

The report warns that for those under 40 “you need to assume you became infected during the Thanksgiving period” if you gathered beyond your immediate household. 

“Most likely, you will not have symptoms; however, you are dangerous to others, and you must isolate away from anyone at increased risk,” the report continues. 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The number of people in Alabama hospitals with COVID-19 on Thursday reached 1,827. That’s nearly 40 percent higher than two weeks ago. Huntsville Hospital had a record-high 338 COVID-19 patients on Thursday, after a string of record-setting daily hospitalizations. UAB Hospital was caring for a record 127 COVID-19 patients Wednesday and 125 on Thursday.

Testing statewide remains low. The average positivity rate over the last week was 34 percent. Public health experts say it should be below 5 percent to ensure adequate testing is being done to prevent cases from going undetected. 

The state averaged 8,517 tests each day over the last two weeks, down from the two week average of 9,407 recorded on Nov. 26.

Eddie Burkhalter is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can email him at [email protected] or reach him via Twitter.

More from the Alabama Political Reporter

Legislature

The legislation would allow residents and patients of health care facilities to "visit with any individual of their choosing" during visiting hours.

State

Qualifying households will get $120 for each participating student to buy SNAP-eligible food at stores that accept EBT cards.

Legislature

A couple of Democratic members voiced concerns about the bill Tuesday, but only three Republicans ultimately voted against it.

Legislature

Money from $1 billion in federal COVID aid may just scratch the surface, organizations say.

Health

The grim milestone comes almost exactly three years after the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alabama.

Opinion

Increased benefits will expire at the end of February, and that means hunger is likely to get worse again.

Economy

Transportation is now the most often-cited barrier, followed by personal health and familial obligations.

Legislature

At a recent Board of Veterans Affairs meeting, members questioned Oliver's fitness to serve as House veterans affairs committee chair.