August 5, 2020 - Hospitalizations Exceed 1,500 in Alabama
Hospitalizations Exceed 1,500 in Alabama
August 5, 2020
For the first time since July 7, the daily case count fell below 1,000 today - 952 to be exact (incl. 66 probables). The 7-day average for new cases declined by 4.25%, from 1,622 to 1,553. There were 29 more deaths, which is 8 more than the average. This 3-day decline in cases is unmistakably good news.
The only blemish on the day is the very low daily test count. There were only 5,093 tests reported statewide, which is well below the 7-day average of 8,359 tests per day. Compared to Alabama’s peak 7-day average for tests (11,775 per day in mid-July), this decline in tests is troubling. With the exception of two days - July 29 (2,876) and July 9 (2,212) - you have to go all the way back to mid-June to find a day when fewer tests were performed in our State.
Still, there is no doubt the decline in cases is encouraging. Over the last three days, this decline has caused our 7-day average positivity rate to drop from 21.55% to 18.37%. That is Alabama’s lowest positivity rate since July 20, which is obviously a great relief. Please say a prayer for Mississippi, which has seen its 7-day positivity rate skyrocket above 26% during that same three-day period.
Meanwhile, current statewide hospitalizations have remained level at 1,575, compared to 1,573 yesterday and 1,564 the day before. In fact, hospitalizations have remained in a narrow band between 1,500 and 1,650 for nearly three weeks now. It was encouraging to hear that UAB Hospital’s inpatient COVID population has decreased from a high of 119 to 115.
As one who was initially critical of Governor Ivey’s mask order (”weak tea”, I called it), I want to acknowledge that the order may deserve some credit for the recent decline in cases. Yet, I’m concerned that the mounting problems with testing could also be partly responsible. For now, let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the favorable trends in data continue. Here are the numbers:
7/23 - 2,399
7/24 - 1,793
7/25 - 2,125
7/26 - 1,164
7/27 - 1,821
7/28 - 1,251
7/29 - 1,416
7/30 - 1,980
7/31 - 1,961
8/1 - 1,646
8/2 - 2,095
8/3 - 1,217
8/4 - 1,041
8/5 - 952
Jefferson (147), Mobile (99), Baldwin (59), Montgomery (45) and Madison (40) counties all saw their positivity rates decline today. The same was true in 43 out of the State’s 67 counties. Twenty-four counties, including Shelby County (44), saw their rates increase.