COVID in Alabama: Numbers Poised for Post-Christmas Spike

Since last Monday, Alabama’s COVID-19 numbers are up by more than 17,000.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 281,919 confirmed cases as of Monday. Of those, 193,000 have recovered since tracking began March 13, while 4,120 died of the virus.

Tuscaloosa County is up to 12,616 cases and 155 deaths as of Monday.

One major cause for concern is the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases since the Thanksgiving holiday. Alabama is ranked No. 6 in the nation per capita for COVID-19, and No. 3 in hospitalizations based on the past seven days.

The state is behind California, Arizona, Rhode Island, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

UAB Division of Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo said they’re expecting another spike in a few weeks because of the Christmas holiday.

“We really haven’t recovered from Thanksgiving yet, and if Christmas is any indication we will probably be seeing more cases,” Marrazzo said.