Alabama Reports More Than 50K Coronavirus Cases In Last 2 Weeks

MONTGOMERY, AL — After adding 2,380 new COVID-19 cases to its total Monday, Alabama has now confirmed more than 53,000 new cases of the virus in the last two weeks alone. That comes to an average of 3,926 new cases every day over the last 14 days.

Put into perspective, Alabama has a population is 4.9 million, and reported 2,380 new cases Monday. The entire country of Japan has a population of 123 million, and it reported 2,643 new cases Monday. In fact, Alabama has more reported COVID-19 deaths (4,389) than Japan (2,900).

Heading into Christmas, health experts have discouraged family gatherings, as the spike in new cases of the virus in December have been partially attributed to Thanksgiving gatherings. A;ready, hospitals in the state are nearing capacity as new COVID-19 cases pile up.

"While we are pleased vaccine products have been authorized for emergency use, not nearly enough vaccine will be available initially, and it will be months before the public at large can be vaccinated," said Dr. Scott Harris of the ADPH. "It is important that everyone continue practicing the measures that are effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19 including social distancing, mask wearing, hand hygiene, avoiding people who are sick, avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and monitoring their own health."

The Alabama Department of Public Health shows 2,337 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Sunday.

New COVID-19 cases reported in Alabama over the last week:

• Dec. 15: 4,135 new cases
• Dec. 16: 4,695 new cases
• Dec. 17: 5,513 new cases
• Dec. 18: 4,240 new cases
• Dec. 19: 2,549 new cases
• Dec. 20: 2,586 new cases
• Dec. 21: 2,380 new cases

Counties reporting the most new cases Monday:

• Jefferson County: 477 new cases
• Mobile County: 164 new cases
• Madison County: 163 new cases
• Shelby County: 128 new cases
• Baldwin County: 125 new cases

SEE ALSO:

• Birmingham Bowl Canceled Amid COVID-19 Spread
• Birmingham Ranked Among Cities Most In Need Of COVID-19 Vaccine
• UAB: Learn Relevant Terminology For The COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout