December 23, 2020 - Another Angel

Another Angel

December 23, 2020

Except for one important statistical category, today’s report reads a lot like yesterday’s. There were 4,758 cases (incl. 1,597 probables), the third highest single-day total of the pandemic. The only two days that saw higher case totals than today also occurred this week - December 18 (5,348) and yesterday (4,979). As for hospitalizations, there are now 2,535 statewide patients, an increase of 8 patients from yesterday. The same number of hospitals (107) submitted reports to ADPH both yesterday and today.

According to BamaTracker, our positivity rate for the last 7 days is 36.4%. Johns Hopkins actually listed Alabama’s 7-day positivity rate as 41.1% through yesterday, highest in the nation. The positivity rate is the method of measuring the percentage of tests taken that are found to be positive. It is not surprising that Alabama’s 7-day moving average would be at or near the highest in the country, when we rank 5th in per capita cases and 46th in per capita tests over the last 7 days - rankings that are separated by 41 spots. No state has nearly such a wide separation in those two categories.

While today looks a lot like yesterday in many ways, there is one major departure from the past - that is, the number of cases that ended in death. Before today, 93 was the high water mark for Alabamians who reportedly died of COVID-19. Today, an astonishing 135 additional Alabamians reportedly lost their lives. 

To be fair, this does not mean 135 Alabamians died of COVID yesterday, but rather, that their deaths were first reported today. In fact, 90 of those 135 deaths occurred between October 1 and December 22, while the remainder occurred earlier than October, but were publicly reported for the first time today. ADPH does not attribute the cause of death to COVID until an investigation is completed and it is determined that COVID was the proximate cause of death. Often, there are underlying medical conditions, like diabetes or coronary disease, that increase the risk of severe illness, but the underlying condition itself did not cause the death.

Tonight, like many Americans, I will be watching a classic movie I often turn to at Christmas:  It’s a Wonderful Life. In that 1947 film, George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, is an ordinary guy who lived a life of connection with others that proved to be a life worth living. George’s guardian angel, Clarence, reveals to him that, by sheer dint of his humanity and character, he has made the world a far better place. 

I am reminded of George Bailey when I think about all the unheralded heroes this pandemic has revealed to us - from the medical first responders, to the kindergarten teachers, to the researchers who produced the vaccines in record time. When you hear a bell ring this Christmas season, remember - another angel has earned his or her wings. 

12/10 - 4735

12/11 - 3853

12/12 - 4066

12/13 - 2790

12/14 - 2264

12/15 - 3638

12/16 - 4107

12/17 - 4695

12/18 - 5348

12/19 - 4221

12/20 - 2548

12/21 - 2380

12/22 - 4979

12/23 - 4758

Jefferson County had 960 cases today and now has a 14-day positivity rate over 40%. Madison County reported 355 cases, while sixteen counties had more than 100 cases, also a new record.