September 13, 2020
Alabama reported 1,109 new cases (incl.137 probables) and 6,681 tests today. This new data means our average infection rate has increased from 15.22% to 16.57% and remains higher than every state in the country, except the Dakotas and Idaho.
Although the low testing level that has persisted for the last couple of weeks is not unique to our State, it certainly has been more pronounced here. Consider these facts: (i) on a per capita basis, there are 16 states that have tested less than Alabama since the pandemic began; but (ii) on a per capita basis, only 7 states have tested less than Alabama over the last 7 days. I have devoted much time and attention to the recent decline in testing, which I won’t repeat today, except to say the reasons for this decline are not fully known.
There are some early signs that our infection rate has begun to increase since the Labor Day weekend, ending September 7. The daily average of new reported cases for the four days between Sept. 6-9 was only 653. During the four days that followed (Sept. 10 through today) the daily average has climbed to 1,085 - a 66% increase. It is too early to know if this is the start of a long-term upward trend but it is a reminder of the days immediately following the 4th of July weekend.
Hospitalizations have ticked up from 775 yesterday (97 reporting hospitals) to 790 today (94 hospitals). Although this is an improvement from early August, Alabama has 16 hospital patients per 100K population, which is tied for third highest in the nation. Only Mississippi and Missouri have worse per capita hospitalization rates. The case totals for the last 14 days:
8/31 - 823
9/1 - 1,558
9/2 - 623
9/3 - 1,046
9/4 - 1,108
9/5 - 1,410
9/6 - 511
9/7 - 659
9/8 - 633
9/9 - 811
9/10 - 1,148
9/11 - 1,138
9/12 - 943
9/13 - 1,109
There are 5 counties with 14-day positivity rates higher than 20%: Cleburne (36.63%); Chilton (31.97%); Clay (29.78%); Franklin (22.90%); and Lawrence (21.80%).