June 4, 2020
June 4, 2010
ADPH posted the following message on its COVID dashboard today:
"IMPORTANT NOTICE
Due to the large increase in volume of COVID-19 laboratory results being processed by laboratories (state public health labs, commercial labs, hospital labs, etc.) and sent to state health departments, the national surveillance pipeline is becoming overwhelmed and is causing delays. This has impacted the data that is displayed on this dashboard."
I'm not sure what to make of ADPH's message. The statewide 7-day average of testing has not increased this week. Nor has the number of reported new cases. In fact, if the data reported by ADPH is accurate, new cases have decreased for the fourth consecutive day in this state. I do not understand how the "national surveillance pipeline" has become "overwhelmed" or how that should cause ADPH to be unable to post accurate data.
Consider me dubious that the infection rate has dropped in Alabama this week (especially since Florida, Georgia and Texas are recording their highest daily totals since the pandemic began). I believe testing and reporting was interrupted by the protests. I also believe ADPH's dashboard reconstruction has contributed to the problem. I only have anecdotal evidence to support those beliefs. We shall see. In the meantime, I'll continue to monitor the data and give you the best information available. Here are ADPH's totals for the 14-day period, ending yesterday:
5/21 - 403
5/22 - 367
5/23 - 374
5/24 - 348
5/25 - 639
5/26 - 592
5/27 - 353
5/28 - 487
5/29 - 511
5/30 - 616
5/31 - 593
6/1 - 294
6/2 - 228
6/3 - 216 (plus 29 "Probable")
Mobile County led with 37 cases, followed by Montgomery with 35 and Jefferson with 17.