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Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama added 1,860 new cases of coronavirus today according to www.bamatracker.com. Additionally, three deaths caused by the virus were also reported. Alabama’s seven-day average is now sitting at nearly 1500 cases a day, by far the highest it has been since the coronavirus outbreak began.
The Department of Public Health has tracked nearly 53,000 confirmed cases in Alabama with 1093 deaths so far. Concern is growing among hospital and healthcare workers that Alabama’s healthcare system will soon be reaching capacity. Dr. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, told AL.com that about 20% of the state’s available beds remain. Williamson also said that the recent surge in hospitalizations have given the state the lowest amount of ICU beds available since the outbreak.
The news comes at a time of growing concern about re-opening of additional sectors of the economy, sports, and what to do when schools are set to welcome students back in the coming weeks. Upset by what they claim is a lack of concrete details, a bipartisan group of Senators will attend Tuesday’s work session of the Alabama State Board of Education, which Governor Kay Ivey chairs, to advocate for more specific testing criteria and funding for nurses. The American Academy of Pediatrics said last month that it strongly advocates for the goal of having students physically present in school while listing key principles any school re-entry policy should possess.
Last week, State Superintendent Eric Mackey announced $10 million to equip all school buses with WiFI capabilities to increase internet connectivity for students with plans to park the busses in communities as mobile hotspots. Senator Del Marsh has also advocated for the purchase of technology devices along with investments in the state’s broadband capabilities so students may continue to learn from home, if schools close again.
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