DCH Backtracks On Closing Mobile Vaccination Site As Cases Rise

TUSCALOOSA, AL — New coronavirus cases have seen a steady rise in Tuscaloosa since last week, prompting DCH to backtrack on its plans to close its mobile vaccination site on Aug. 6. This comes amid noticeably low demand for the vaccine, while hospital officials report that more than 90% of new DCH virus inpatients have not been vaccinated.

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In its update Tuesday evening, DCH said the decision has been made to keep the mobile site open off of Dr. Edward Hillard Drive in Tuscaloosa. It will be open Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.

The announcement on Tuesday also coincided with DCH reporting its highest number of coronavirus-positive inpatients since Feb. 14, logging eight new cases to bring the three-hospital system's overall hospitalization total to 58. On the same day a week ago, that total stood at 15 inpatients for the three-hospital system.

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Patch reported on Tuesday that 1,858 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered in Tuscaloosa County since last Thursday, which includes 459 residents who completed their vaccination series over this time. Despite officials urging the public to put their trust in the vaccine, skepticism abounds as more than half of the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area's population remains unvaccinated

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