UA Issues New Mask Requirement; DCH Cases Trending Up Quickly

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama announced Thursday it will begin requiring face coverings indoors on the Tuscaloosa campus beginning Friday, which comes amid a disturbingly progressive surge in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

In the most recent update, the university stressed that the mask requirement applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Exceptions will be provided when the individual is socially-distant indoors or working alone in offices and private workspaces, in addition to eating, drinking, exercising and faculty teaching. However, to do so, faculty must be distanced and behind plexiglass.

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Thursday's announcement came as DCH Health System reported 91 total coronavirus-positive inpatients, marking the system's highest total since Feb. 8.

Local quick facts

• Over the last two weeks, 10 coronavirus-positive patients have died while receiving treatment at DCH, none of whom were residents of Tuscaloosa County.
• After hitting 26 ICU coronavirus patients on Wednesday, Thursday's number moved in a positive direction as the overall number fell day-to-day to 21.
• As of Thursday's data update from the Alabama Department of Public Health, officials reported 16 different "variants of concern" in the west Alabama region.
• Tuscaloosa County School System and Tuscaloosa City Schools have both stopped short of issuing mask mandates for students and faculty ahead of the school year beginning in less than two weeks.

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What's most troubling, though, is the rate DCH is logging new hospitalizations, as the system's overall total has climbed from 25 on July 25 to Thursday's 91.

DCH has stressed in recent weeks that the current spike could have been "largely avoidable," due to the far-reaching availability of the vaccine. However, Tuscaloosa — along with the rest of the country — has been slow to put trust in the vaccine, despite DCH reporting that more than 90% of new hospitalizations are non-vaccinated patients. This is in line with state and national trends as public health officials, including at the University of Alabama, continue to plead with the public to do what they can individually to help tamp down the spread.

“Vaccinations are the key to a successful fall semester and the key to moving beyond these types of requirements,” said Dr. Ricky Friend, dean of the College of Community Health Sciences. “Everyone is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. Data continue to show the vaccines provide very strong protection against serious illness and hospitalization.”

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According to the latest vaccination data from the state health department, 80,073 Tuscaloosa County residents had received at least one shot in their vaccine series as of Thursday, while 65,933 have completed the vaccination process. While this does represent noticeable progress, the totals still fall well short of half the population of the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area.

Friend then explained current incentives for students to receive the vaccine, with students who upload proof qualifying for $20 Bama Cash.

“Our vaccine numbers among faculty and staff are strong — the percentage vaccinated more than doubles the statewide number," he said. "We are still learning about students who were vaccinated over the summer, and will be offering expanded opportunities for vaccination as classes approach. Again, vaccination is key."

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