The number of new coronavirus cases in Alabama hit a record high Thursday.

The Alabama Department of Public Health numbers from their 10:00am update showed the state has now had a total of 72,696 confirmed cases – an increase of 2,283 from Wednesday – the previous one-day increase record was 2,164 new cases set on July 9th.  Alabama’s death toll reached 1,357 – an increase of 32 over the previous day.

Roughly 96% of the COVID-19 deaths in Alabama have been among people with underlying medical conditions, with the most common underlying medical condition among the deaths being cardiovascular disease reported in 62% of cases – and that was followed by “multiple underlying medical conditions” at 54%.  Other double-digit conditions included – diabetes (40%); kidney disease (26%); and lung disease (24%).

The state also updated its recovery figures – according to the ADPH, 32,510 residents of the state have recovered from coronavirus.

Statewide, Alabama has tested a total of 618,011 people – 166,794 in the last 14 days – and, of those recent tests, 23,206 – roughly 14% – have tested positive.

According to the latest data for Cherokee County – a total of 181 confirmed cases have been reported since March 13th, with a total of seven deaths resulting from the illness. 

Out of a total of 554 tests administered during the past 14 days a total of 67 positive results have been returned locally.

According to the ADPH 41% of Alabama’s coronavirus cases are among those between ages 25 and 49. 

Daily updates are usually released around 10:00am; those are posted on the ADPH COVID-19 Data & Surveillance Dashboard on the right-hand side of our news site at weisradio.com