May 8, 2021
There were 419 new cases reported today in Alabama (incl. 110 probables) and 314 cases yesterday. Over the last week, our State has averaged 348 new cases per day, compared to 344 per day as of May 1 and 293 per day one month ago. There are now 333 confirmed patients in 97 reporting hospitals (3.43 per hospital). On May 1, Alabama hospitals were treating 3.36 patients per hospital, compared to 3.08 patients per hospital one month ago.
In the last week in the U.S., an average of 2.09 million doses per day were administered, an 18% decline over the week before. In Alabama, an average of 20.1k doses per day were administered, a 10% decline. Just 5 states administered more shots over the last week than the prior week, while 45 states reported a decline in shots, led by New Hampshire, where over 57% have received at least one dose but the State witnessed a weekly decline of 111%.
Alabama has now administered at least one dose to 1,649,688 people, covering 41.9% of the 16 and older population, and 33.6% of the state’s entire population (national average = 45.6%). At least 1,263,965 people have been fully vaccinated, or 25.8% of the entire population (national average = 33.9%).
Increasingly, cash and other incentives are being offered by states and localities to get people vaccinated. For example, in West Virginia, Governor Jim Justice recently announced the state would give young people $100 bonds to get inoculated. Maryland has incentivized vaccinations with $100 payments to state employees who elect to get a vaccine. Krispy Kreme is giving out free donuts to anyone who has received the vaccine, while celebrity chef José Andrés has offered a $50 gift certificate to anyone who gets a vaccine on May 8 or later for use at any of his restaurants in Washington, D.C.
So, here we are. After 15 months of battling this virus with both hands tied behind our backs, America now has the means to eradicate it within our borders. Throughout the world, countries are begging for more vaccines, yet here in the U.S., a privileged few are demanding to be paid to protect themselves and their neighbors. It’s a shame it has come to this, but if that is what it will take to finish the job, so be it. The totals:
4/24- 421
4/25- 233
4/26- 217
4/27- 359
4/28- 376
4/29- 430
4/30- 409
5/1 - 387
5/2 - 288
5/3 - 187
5/4 - -0-
5/5 - 662
5/6 - 565
5/7 - 314
5/8 - 419