February 17, 2022
The Omicron surge is receding throughout most of Alabama. Over the last 7 days, average daily cases are down 52% compared to the prior week, and the State’s positivity rate has dipped to 15.6%. There is a surprising mini-outbreak in 7 Black Belt counties - Marengo, Greene, Sumter, Hale, Russell, Perry and Fayette - all of which have seen double-digit percentage increases in reported cases over the last week. Every other county has shown a double-digit decline, led by Cleburne County with an 83% decline.
True to form, hospitalizations are also down, but not by as much. There are currently 1,731 patients in Alabama’s hospitals, a drop of 25% since this time last week, the lowest number since January 6. Deaths have risen 24% over the past week, including 178 deaths in the last two days. Alabama’s overall death toll now sits at 17,749, more than the population of Cullman.
It’s no secret the CDC is expected to loosen its mask guidance next week. Like it or not, whether it makes sense or not, public health interventions are rapidly being set aside by an exhausted nation. Lost in the shuffle is that millions of people still have limited or no immunity because they are immunocompromised. This population includes organ transplant and cancer patients, and people with autoimmune diseases requiring medication that affect their immune systems. Some people with severe health issues cannot get vaccinated at all.
Another overlooked consideration is the incidence of reinfections. Since Omicron was first detected, the number of reinfections has risen sharply. Researchers say the new variant is probably driving the surge because it is able to evade natural immunity defenses. There is even some anecdotal evidence that people can catch Omicron twice, or possibly be infected with the Ba.2 subvariant after infection with the original Omicron strain. Fortunately, such reinfections appear to be rare, and possibly overestimated due to confusion over testing.
The rush to put aside masks also ignores that this virus is not static. It continually mutates, so a new variant may be just around the corner. Recognizing that fact, the Biden Administration wisely announced “ramped-up” assistance to the vaccination programs in 11 sub-Saharan countries, including some countries where Omicron is believed to have originated.
Finally, don’t forget the parents of young children, who are under a lot of stress. Kids under the age of 5 are still not eligible for vaccination so they have no practical way to protect themselves. It’s true that severe infections in this population are rare but they do happen.
All of this is to say, there are important reasons to remain vigilant - out of consideration for others as well as yourself. If you are vaccinated and recently boosted, or if you have recovered from an Omicron infection, you should feel entitled to enjoy the fruits of your protection. Believe me, I get it because I feel the same way. Then I think about the vulnerable people with whom I come in contact every day - some known, others unknown. My advice to you: consider the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The totals:
2/4 - 11,196
2/5 - 1,924
2/6 - not reporting
2/7 - 3,456
2/8 - 4,507
2/9 - 3,649
2/10 - 2,713
2/11 - 2,835
2/12 - 2,438
2/13 - 1,054
2/14 - 724
2/15 - 2,136
2/16 - 1,975
2/17 - 2,108