The state has seen a sharp uptick in cases and hospitalizations. The number of people hospitalized stood at 1,923 on Friday, the highest the state has seen since late January. There were about 3,000 COVID-19 patients in state hospitals at the peak of the pandemic, and health officials have expressed concern that the state could be quickly headed back to that number.
New case numbers continue their sharp upward trends, as the total of positive tests since the pandemic’s beginning reached 589,110 last Monday. That's up to 1,705 cases for the day, though it’s less than the daily totals for each of the past five days. Alabama has seen the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases nearly triple over the past two weeks, rising from 1,133 on July 21 to 3,167 on Aug. 4., the highest that metric has reached since Feb. 2. The 14-day average, which smooths out spikes in the data’s highs and lows, topped the 2,000 mark for the first time since Feb. 9 and now is around 2,013.57 cases per day.
The death toll is creeping upward at a slightly higher rate, but it still is much lower on average than any time since records were first made public in March 2020. There were 57 deaths last week, an average of 7.57 per day over that period, with a 14-day average of 6.64. Health officials still expect that figure to rise significantly over the next few weeks and regularly remind the public that deaths are a trailing indicator of pandemic trends — the numbers rise and fall anywhere from three to six weeks after those of new cases and hospitalizations.
New data models show Alabama could reach a peak of 13,000 daily COVID-19 cases by late August. At current transmission rates, Alabama would need 90 percent herd immunity to stop the spread. Around 20 percent of the population in Southern Alabama will be out of work or school, because of illness or quarantine, at the peak for three weeks centered on August 26th.
Alabama is one of the least vaccinated states in the country. The state ranks last for the percentage of people fully vaccinated, with 34%. In Alabama, 44% of people have received at least one dose of vaccine, a figure that ranks the state fifth from last.
Key factors that could increase vaccination rates include:
• Increased vaccination rates
• Schools restarting
• People wearing masks
• Change in personal behavior (i.e. avoiding large gatherings)
Getting vaccinated is an important way to protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19. Because of very high COVID-19 transmission in Alabama right now, unvaccinated people are at very high risk. Vaccinated people are at minimal risk. Here’s how to lower your risk of getting sick and protect your community, based on the current local transmission rate, according to public health experts.
Given the severity of the outbreak in Alabama, spending time inside with people from other households puts you at risk for getting the coronavirus or spreading it to others. You can lower your risk during essential trips by keeping your visits as short as possible. Avoid all nonessential travel.
If you feel sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should stay home and get tested. If someone in your household feels sick or has been diagnosed with COVID-19, everyone should wear a mask, wash their hands often and stay at least six feet apart from one another, even inside your home.
Conveniently located on Taylorville along highway 69 south, Taylorville Family Medicine is perfectly positioned to provide first-class care for you and your family during this pandemic. For more than 15 years, Taylorville Family Medicine has offered high-quality health care in a comfortable setting. You will be treated professionally and respectfully at all times.
For the uninsured and self-paying, you can pay the easy price of $75 for COVID-19 testing or $100 for COVID-19 and Flu A/B testing. We accept cash and credit cards only. Please bring your Driver's License and insurance card. If you are testing a child, the guarantor must have a Driver's License.
For more information, be sure to learn more here: COVID-19 TEST | TaylorvilleFamilyMed
Author of This Article:
Jared Earl & Carlos Shows
Marketing Manager
205.405.4817
jared@taylorvillefamily.com