January 19, 2021 - To Heal, We Must Remember

To Heal, We Must Remember

January 19, 2021

After a week of encouraging data in Alabama, I am more concerned by what I am seeing today. There were 2,515 new cases (incl. 712 probables) and 6,912 tests - in other words, 36.4% of yesterday’s tests were positive, compared to just 22.9% on Sunday. That is the first uptick in positivity in several days, and it is higher than the 7-day average positivity rate of 29.8-32.7%.

While the cases today are lower than the daily average, remember that these results were collected on MLK Day, when many testing centers were closed. Mercifully, only 5 more deaths were reported, but that number also is likely affected by lighter holiday reporting. 

The number of statewide COVID patients continues to gradually decline, with the report that we now have 2,724 patients in 107 reporting hospitals, or 25.5 patients per hospital. That is fully 4 patients per hospital fewer than the peak on January 9. However, DCH Health in Tuscaloosa reported it admitted 26 new COVID patients yesterday and now has a record 191 COVID patients. This spike can likely be attributed to the Tuscaloosa street celebrations last Monday, which remains a cause for concern. 

H.H.S released its weekly update of ICU capacity data today and Alabama again has the highest average occupancy rate in the nation - 96%. The national average is just 79%. In the Birmingham area, Brookwood, St. Vincent’s, UAB Hospital, Grandview and Baptist Princeton all have ICU occupancy rates above 90%. Don Williamson, the head of the Alabama Hospital Assn, reported that “on a handful of occasions in recent weeks, only 1 COVID ICU bed was available in all of Jefferson County”.

In Montgomery, all 3 Baptist hospitals are 100% filled and Jackson Hospital is at 95% occupancy. In the Mobile area, Thomas Hospital (Fairhope) is at 117%; Springhill Memorial 112%; and Mobile Infirmary 96%. Tuscaloosa’s DCH Health is 92%, while outside the 4 largest metropolitan areas, the ICU situation is even worse - Anniston (120%); Gadsden (98%); Dothan (131%); Cullman (200%); and Opelika (100%).

Tomorrow, as we turn the page on the Trump administration, Alabama’s toll stands at 426,543 cases, 39,504 hospitalizations and 6,126 deaths.The U.S. has suffered 24.8 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths. Every one of those deaths has left a hole in the lives of family and friends. Tonight, at the Reflecting Pool adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, the healing began.

In a simple, somber service, President-elect Biden said, “To heal, we must remember”. Those are words America has been waiting to hear. This virus has denied us of the ritual of remembrance and mourning. It has deprived thousands upon thousands of people the intimacy and closure that comes with saying good-bye to their loved ones. As the reflection of 400 lights shimmered on the Reflecting Pool, in the shadow of this memorial to President Lincoln, it was fitting to hear those words uttered by another President who has grieved such personal loss. To heal, the nation must remember. The totals: 

 1/6    - 4591

 1/7    - 5046

 1/8    - 5057

 1/9    - 4863

1/10   - 2750

1/11   - 2100

1/12   - 3848

1/13  -  3147

1/14   - 3588

1/15   - 2945

1/16   - 3153

1/17   - 1917

1/18   - 1430

1/19   - 2515

In the last 7 days, among the State’s most populous counties, the per capita cases stand as follows: Calhoun - 78/100K; Lee - 77/100K; Jefferson - 65/100K; Baldwin - 59/100K; Madison - 58/100K; Shelby - 58/100K; Morgan -57/100K; Montgomery - 55/100K; Mobile - 55/100K; Tuscaloosa - 39/100K.