May 29, 2021
In the past week in Alabama, (i) new daily reported cases fell 19.5%, (ii) new daily reported deaths rose 12.5% and (iii) Covid-related hospitalizations fell 5%. These rates compare somewhat unfavorably to the national average in all three categories, where (i) new daily reported cases fell 19.7%; (ii) new daily reported deaths rose 2.8%; and (iii) Covid-related hospitalizations fell 11%.
Since the start of the pandemic, Alabama has reported over 543,000 confirmed cases and 11,146 deaths. On a per capita basis, our State ranks 14th in per capita cases (slightly more than New York) and tied (with Louisiana) for 8th in per capita deaths. Considering the head start many states in the Northeast and Upper Midwest had during the spring of 2020, when little was known about the virus, Alabama’s high ranking in those basic metrics is remarkable. This is mostly a reflection of our horrific post-Thanksgiving December and January, when the rate of infection seemed to spiral out of control.
Alabama now has 8 hospitalizations per 100K population. There are 16 states with higher rates per capita (led by West Virginia with 13 per 100K), 26 states with lower rates per capita (led by Vermont with 1 per 100K) and 7 states with the same rate. Alabama’s rate of hospitalization has declined 5% compared to the prior week. There are 11 states with rates that actually rose in the last 7 days, 5 states whose rate of decline was less than 5% and 32 states whose rate of decline was more than 5%.
Half of the country’s population has now received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, according to the CDC. Vaccination rates vary enormously. Some states have given at least one dose to nearly two-thirds of their residents - e.g., VT - 69.8%; HI - 65.8%; MA - 65.7% - while others have given it to slightly more than one-third - e.g. MS -33.9%; LA - 35.5%; AL - 36%).
It is discouraging that the vaccination rate in Alabama continues to decline so rapidly. In the last week, an average of 10.2k doses per day were administered, a 17% drop from the week before. One dose has now been administered to 1,763,553 people and 1,429,238 people have been fully vaccinated, or 29.1% of Alabama’s total population. Particularly problematic is the vaccination rate among 30-49 year olds - only 13.8% - compared to over 70% for age 65 and older; nearly 50% for 50-64 year olds; and 21% for 18-29 year olds.
I have just showered you with a blizzard of statistics, but that feels inadequate for this Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day originated on May 30, 1868, to honor the lives of the 20,000 fallen Union and Confederate soldiers who had been buried at Arlington Cemetery. It is generally believed that the tragic conflict between North and South ultimately resulted in the deaths of nearly 618,000 Union and Confederate soldiers from all causes, including battle, disease, and captivity (though many argue the number is probably higher). According to one tracking service I follow, the number of Americans who have died from COVID-19 during this pandemic has now surpassed 610,000 (though that number is also likely higher).
As we celebrate the reopening of our own lives, we must not forget those whose lives have been cut short during this pandemic. I am reminded of the opening prayer of The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which I recited to you in my letter last Christmas Eve. The Festival was conceived by the new dean of King’s College on Christmas Eve 1918, in the midst of the global flu epidemic and only one month following the end of World War I. The words of remembrance from the opening prayer seem especially poignant as we approach Memorial Day yet again: “Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number”. Amen.
5/16 - 254
5/17 - 184
5/18 - 336
5/19 - 288
5/20 - 339
5/21 - 443
5/22 - 255
5/23 - 196
5/24 - 132
5/25 - 306
5/26 - 269
5/27 - 346
5/28 - 228
Amen!