Alabama Coronavirus Cases Top 4,500; Deaths Top 150

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Alabama has reported more than 4,500 cases of the coronavirus as of Saturday morning, which is bad news for many of the counties seeing a spike in cases, but it is good news for the state overall since the state saw just a 4 percent growth in cases for the second day in a row.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports more than 45,000 tests administered statewide, with 4,500 positive tests. A reported 155 people have died.

Mobile County has surpassed Jefferson County as the county with the highest total reported deaths, reporting 25 fatalities.

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Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, who has been vocal — and sometimes critical of Gov. Kay Ivey —throughout the pandemic on what Alabama needs to do regarding stopping the spread of the virus, has recommended some businesses open, and praised Alabamians Saturday morning for adhering to social distancing procedures.

The counties with the most cases as of Saturday afternoon:

• Jefferson County: 644 confirmed cases; 8,433 total tests; 24 reported deaths
• Mobile County: 635 confirmed cases; 3,343 total tests; 25 reported deaths
• Lee County: 295 confirmed cases; 1,959 total tests; 14 reported deaths
• Shelby County: 244 confirmed cases; 2,014 total tests;8 reported deaths
• Chambers County: 236 confirmed cases; 723 total tests; 11 reported deaths

Mobile County's spike in cases has come in the last week or so, as it projects to surpass Jefferson County in total cases, despite a much lower population and fewer tests administered.

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