COVID-19 Update Alabama Department of Public Health March 30, 2021

Getting COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of Alabamians as quickly as possible is our goal. ADPH is conducting clinics daily, including drive-through clinics in some counties. Limited vaccine remains the greatest challenge in Alabama and other states.

COVID-19 Cases—514,980
COVID-19 Deaths—10,527
COVID-19 Hospitalizations (as of March 29)—47,545
Currently eligible for vaccine—phase 1a, phase 1b, phase 1c, and people 55 years and older
The Alabama COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Plan outlines the various phases, and is available here:
www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/assets/adph-covid19-vaccination-allocation-plan.pdf
Average 1stDoses of Vaccine Shipped to Alabama Per Week—115,000-120,000
Vaccine Doses Administered—1,619,878
Vaccine Doses Delivered to Alabama—2,424,215
Alabama Healthcare Providers Enrolled—1,278

Easter and Other Spring Gatherings and COVID-19
Easter is a time for many families to get together with extended family and friends. We hope you can gather as safely as possible, but it is still not a good idea to mix with people from other households. This is especially true when you wish to spend time with people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to age or health problems unless people are fully vaccinated. The same guidance that has been made for other holiday celebrations applies: outdoor events are better than indoor ones, shorter times are better than longer ones, and people are better spaced apart than crowded together. Please be responsible and do the right thing to protect your friends and loved ones.

National Guard COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Update
The Alabama National Guard (ALNG) continues rotating through 24 rural counties to provide primary COVID-19 vaccinations. A total of 3,738 vaccinations were given in under-served and rural counties throughout the state during the vaccine clinics held March 23-26. Clinic information ordered by date of first dose can be found at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/ng-clinics.html. The website also includes flyers to promote each clinic and vaccination forms that can be reviewed and completed prior to receiving a vaccination. Persons are asked to check the link frequently as locations are subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen logistical issues.  

Majority of Age 75+ Alabamians Have Received at Least One Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine
Sixty-four percent of the Alabama population 75 years and older has received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. People in this age group are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19. As we age, our immune cells become more difficult to activate. ADPH maximized our limited vaccine resources to help protect these Alabama residents. Regrettably, 78.8 percent of Alabamians who have died due to COVID-19 are age 65 and older. Vulnerable older residents have been prioritized in our Vaccine Allocation Plan for that reason.

At Least One in Four Residents of 35 Alabama Counties Vaccinated
Twenty-five percent or more of the residents age 16 and older of 35 Alabama counties have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine to date. Successful public health efforts to achieve vaccine equity have resulted in higher vaccine uptake among African American residents of Black Belt counties. Counties where 25 percent or more of their residents have been vaccinated are as follows: Wilcox, Perry, Hale, Marengo, Tallapoosa, Conecuh, Greene, Clarke, Lee, Jefferson, Lowndes, Colbert, Henry, Dallas, Sumter, Macon, Houston, Monroe, Lauderdale, Clay, Shelby, Mobile, Chambers, Choctaw, Bullock, Baldwin, Madison, Crenshaw, Cullman, Franklin, Morgan, Coosa, Montgomery, Washington, and Lamar. Vaccines are one key to protecting the most vulnerable and helping stop the pandemic in Alabama. Supply remains an issue, as there is not yet enough vaccine available for everyone who would like to be vaccinated.

ADPH Encourages the Use of Facial Coverings After Mandate Ends on April 9
Masks or other facial coverings will no longer be a mandate after April 9, but ADPH reminds everyone that masks remain one of the most successful tools to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Many businesses and healthcare facilities will continue to require facial coverings in their facilities. Hospitals and nursing homes are under federal guidance that supports the use of facial coverings, and we anticipate the requirement for facial coverings to remain in place at those facilities.

 

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