Alabama Reports Record-High Number Of COVID-19 Deaths

MONTGOMERY, AL — Just six weeks ago, Alabama was reporting roughly 5,000 new cases in a two-week span. That figure would likely be welcomed in today's situation, where the state has reported more than 18,000 new cases of the virus over the last 14 days, and Tuesday set a record for the number of COVID-19 deaths in a day with 40.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that 146,463 COVID-19 tests have been administered over the last two weeks, with 18,092 of those tests coming back positive. Alabama has a 14.9 percent positive rate, compared to the 9 percent rate nationally.

In total, Alabama has confirmed 56,441 cases of COVID-19 with 25,783 presumed to have recovered from the virus. The state has reported 1,136 COVID-19 deaths. More than 1,300 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized in Alabama.

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in Alabama. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters

Counties with the most COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic:

• Jefferson County: 174 deaths
• Mobile County: 147 deaths
• Montgomery County: 114 deaths
• Tallapoosa County: 69 deaths
• Tuscaloosa County: 54 deaths

Madison County reported the most new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, followed by Jefferson County.

The counties reporting the most new COVID-19 cases Tuesday:

• Madison County: 194 new cases; 2,729 total
• Jefferson County: 174 new cases; 7,186 total
• Mobile County: 145 new cases; 5,206 total
• DeKalb County: 117 new cases; 1,118 total
• Montgomery County: 91 new cases; 4,690 total

Dr. Don Williamson, head of the Alabama Hospitals Association, said he is concerned about the possibility of overloading the state's hospitals as flu season approaches.

"It’s incumbent upon us do to the things necessary to limit spread to avoid a disastrous situation this fall," Williamson said in a news conference with Sen. Doug Jones Tuesday. "This is one of those rare diseases where we control our future."

Williamson said he believes Gov. Kay Ivey should issue a statewide face covering mandate, as many other states have done.

SEE ALSO:

• Jefferson County Releases COVID-19 Stats By ZIP Code
• Altimmune Coronavirus Vaccine Candidate Tested At UAB