Coronavirus In Alabama: State Adds 63 Deaths, Nearly 5,000 Cases

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama continues to see rapid spread of the coronavirus, as the Alabama Department of Public Health reported a record 4,979 new cases of the virus Tuesday. The state also confirmed 63 deaths from the virus over the last 24 hours.

The ADPH also reports that 2,525 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alabama, placing additional strain on hospital capacity and health care workers.

"We are busy," said Dr. Andrew Edwards, interim chair of the UAB Department of Emergency Medicine. "We have patients presenting with COVID-19-like symptoms. We have patients with major emergencies such as stroke, heart attack and traumatic injury. And we have a lot of patients who come to us for a variety of conditions, some of which might be better handled at alternative care sites, which would reduce the overcrowding we see in the EDs."

Heath officials point to Thanksgiving holiday travel and gatherings, coupled with school, church and sporting events to the rapid spread of the virus in December. Despite warnings from health officials, many people across the country chose to gather with family and even travel out of state for Thanksgiving.

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Jefferson County added nearly 800 new cases Tuesday, a record number for the state's largest county. Jefferson County is approaching 50,000 total cases since March.

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

• Jefferson County: 790 new cases; 46,794 total
• Madison County: 422 new cases; 19,899 total
• Tuscaloosa County: 293 new cases; 17,063 total
• Etowah County: 223 new cases; 9,206 total
• Baldwin County: 203 new cases; 12,155 total

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