January 11, 2021
Tonight will be another brief summary. Even in the midst of a deadly pandemic, I must prepare to cheer on the Crimson Tide as they reclaim their rightful title.
There were 2,100 cases (incl. 340 probables) and 6,207 tests. There were also 13 more reported deaths of Alabama residents. Being Monday, many test centers were closed yesterday, so these numbers are not complete. Tomorrow will bring a full complement of test results.
Hospitalizations are more reliable on Mondays, with 107 hospitals reporting 3,088 patients, a new record for total statewide patients. This equates to 28.9 patients per hospital, which is the same ratio as yesterday, and slightly fewer than the record 29.65 patients per hospital reported on Saturday. According to the Washington Post tracker, Alabama is now averaging 63 patients per hospital, second only to Arizona (72).
ICU occupancy rates were updated by the Department of Health & Human Services and the news is not good. Alabama has sole possession of first place for the highest average ICU occupancy rate in the nation - 94% (the national average is 79%). In the Birmingham area, the ICU occupancy rates at Medical West, Brookwood, UAB Hospital and St. Vincent’s are all running at or above 94%, while those in all hospitals serving Mobile, Huntsville and Montgomery top 96%. DCH in Tuscaloosa registered 95% occupancy, while Cullman Regional continues to struggle with astonishing 204% ICU occupancy.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new reporting week. Among other things, we may see a spike in cases originating from the riots in Washington and at the Capitol. The domestic terrorists who were arrested live throughout the United States, including Alabama, and virtually none of them were wearing masks. One final superspreader in an election year full of them. The totals:
12/29 - 3907
12/30 - 5106
12/31 - 4406
1/1 - 4521
1/2 - 3711
1/3 - 2476
1/4 - 2161
1/5 - 5498
1/6 - 4591
1/7 - 5046
1/8 - 5057
1/9 - 4863
1/10 - 2750
1/11 - 2100
Over the last 7 days, Crenshaw, Hale, Autauga, Lowndes and Pike counties (in that order) had the highest per capita daily cases. Among the most populous counties, Jefferson (106 per 100K), Montgomery (102 per 100K), Calhoun (96 per 100K), Shelby (90 per 100K) and Morgan (90 per 100K) topped the list.