September 9, 2020 - A Hopeful Story
A Hopeful Story
September 9, 2020
We are now two days out from the long weekend and we’re beginning to see more reliable and consistent data. There were 811 cases (incl. 110 probables) and 5,894 tests in addition to 8 deaths. The case count is up from yesterday’s count (633) but slightly below the daily average of cases over the last week (883). The good news is that it is the 4th straight day that new daily reported cases are below 1,000. The low volume of tests, however, remains a matter of concern as the 7-day average stands at 4,621.
Statewide hospitalizations, as reported yesterday, were revised upward from 778 to 849 (109 reporting hospitals). Today, there are 857 patients in 105 reporting hospitals. Total hospitalizations have remained in a tight range between 829 and 906 for a week now. We seem to have plenty of hospital capacity for those persons who need inpatient care.
Once again, our infection rate (a/k/a/ positivity rate) remains stubbornly high at 18.08% (including probables). If the probable cases are excluded, the average positivity rate over the last 7 days would be 13.48%. That is indicative of the growing number of probable cases being reported by ADPH (if you still have questions about the definition or relevance of “probable” cases, I refer you to my posts dated August 26-28 and September 2). There were 3 states with positivity rates higher than 18.08% (the Dakotas and Kansas) and 7 states with rates above 13.48%, including Florida.
I’d like to leave you with a hopeful story. If you have followed my posts for a while, you will have noticed that the State of Arizona has rarely been mentioned lately. Throughout July, Arizona was “off the charts” in virtually every abysmal category, topping out at 4,877 cases on July 1 and a 7-day average positivity rate of 27.55%. Deaths peaked at 172 on a single day on July 30. Well, today, Arizona reported just 81 cases yesterday, its lowest number since March (the positivity rate is under 6%). And, for the first time in nearly six months, the Navajo Nation reported no new cases. To be honest, yesterday was a bit of a fluke. After all, Arizona’s daily average is 525 cases over 7 days. Still, the improvement since July is remarkable.
So, what is the explanation? Many experts observed that the state spiraled out of control when it reopened its economy too soon last spring. After Gov. Ducey reversed himself and allowed cities and counties to issue mask ordinances and enforce physical distance requirements, there were immediate positive results. The evidence is in and it’s not rocket science. Responsible individual behavior matters. We can do this in Alabama. The totals:
8/27 - 1,769
8/28 - 1,162
8/29 - 1,704
8/30 - 1,346
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
For only the second time in nearly 3 weeks, Jefferson County had fewer than 100 cases. No other county topped 100 cases either.