Jefferson County Reports 33 Coronavirus Deaths In 24-Hour Span

BIRMINGHAM, AL — After what seemed like a drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state in October, November continues to bring an increase in new cases of the virus and an increase in deaths, as Jefferson County reported 33 COVID-19 deaths overnight Wednesday.

The Jefferson County Department of Health confirmed 282 new cases of COVID-19 with the 33 fatalities, bringing the total of COVID-19 deaths in the county to 54 this month. The county reported 28 COVID-19 deaths in all of October.

Jefferson County averaged 131 new cases of the virus each day in October. Thus far in November, the county is averaging 202 new cases per day, almost double the daily average in September.

The new case totals and fatalities in Jefferson County in November:

• Nov. 1: 187 new cases, 4 deaths
• Nov. 2: 125 new cases, 0 deaths
• Nov. 3: 157 new cases, 0 deaths
• Nov. 4: 219 new cases, 2 deaths
• Nov. 5: 186 new cases, 1 death
• Nov. 6: 211 new cases, 0 deaths
• Nov. 7: 257 new cases, 12 deaths
• Nov. 8: 200 new cases, 0 deaths
• Nov. 9: 176 new cases, 0 deaths
• Nov. 10: 229 new cases, 6 deaths
• Nov. 11: 282 new cases, 33 deaths

The highest daily average in the county was in July, when the county averaged 225 new cases per day.

Earlier in the week, Tuggle Elementary School in Birmingham announced that a spike in COVID-19 cases forced the school to revert back to virtual learning, just two days after Birmingham City Schools welcomed students back to campuses full time.

"There is an emerging body of evidence that shows young children (elementary aged) likely do not spread the virus easily and thus we must weigh the risk of transmission vs. the benefit of these children being in schools," said Dr. Rachael Lee, infectious disease physician at UAB. "For middle and high school students, there do seem to be transmission events similar to what we see with adults.

"Ultimately, despite all of the work that we do to protect our children, high community rates, like what we are seeing nationally, places everyone at risk. We will see more quarantines and infections in children if we don’t do our best to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and not going to work when we are sick."