Coronavirus Hospitalizations In Alabama Lowest Since June

MONTGOMERY, AL — The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Alabama has declined in recent weeks, so much so that the total number of patients in Alabama hospitals with the virus is as low as it has been since June.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported Friday that 718 COVID-19 patients remain hospitalized in the state. That is the lowest number of hospitalizations since 650 were reported June 28.

The state confirmed 798 new coronavirus cases Friday, and eight deaths, bringing the state's fatality total to 2,357.

The state reports a total of 150,658 cases of the virus, but 134,231 of those are confirmed cases. Another 16,427 cases are listed as "probable."

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 represent persons who have positive PCR tests, whether symptomatic or not, according to the ADPH. Probable cases of COVID-19 currently represent two groups: those who are epidemiologically linked to a case (exposed to a person who had COVID-19), have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, and do not have diagnostic tests performed due to individual decisions or other reason; and those who have had rapid antigen tests performed.

"Rapid antigen tests, while diagnostic tests, are counted as probable due to antigen tests showing lower ability to determine if a person has SARS-CoV-2," the ADPH said in a statement Friday. "In other words, point of care antigen tests are less sensitive and show more false negative results than laboratory performed PCR tests. Point of care antigen testing can be useful where there are high rates of SARS-CoV-2. As more rapid point of care testing is performed for SARS-CoV-2, ADPH is working to remind entities to report all testing done, both positive and negative, to ensure that ADPH testing numbers reflect accuracy of percent positive testing."

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