JeffCo Health Officer: COVID-19 Straining Entire Public Health System
Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said the spread of COVID-19 is now much worse than it was in April, but some people are acting as if the virus “isn’t a problem at all.” During a press conference Tuesday, Wilson said a significant portion of new cases are among people aged 20-45 who are less likely to be hospitalized due to the virus but are spreading it to others.
Wilson said there is not a single event or location driving the rise in case numbers, but he is concerned about people gathering in private spaces.
“That’s where we’re seeing a lot of spread,” Wilson said. “That’s where government doesn’t have a lot of control over behavior.”
As of Tuesday morning, 278 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Jefferson County, with 110 patients in intensive care. Wilson said area hospitals and medical staff are overwhelmed, testing sites are near capacity, and labs are facing backlogs.
“COVID-19 is now putting a strain on every part of our health care and public health system,” Wilson said.
UAB Hospital reported a record-breaking number of inpatients Tuesday, treating 105 people with COVID-19. Due to the increase, the hospital recently implemented part of its surge plan. Dr. Sarah Nafziger, co-chair of UAB’s Emergency Management Committee, said they are redirecting resources and using part of the emergency department waiting room to care for COVID patients.
“The downside of designating additional COVID-19 beds,” Nafziger said, “is that, by definition, it reduces the number of beds that are available for patients who have non-COVID medical needs.”
She said if numbers continue to increase, the hospital may have to limit other services, including elective surgeries and outpatient visits.
Light from satellites will ruin majority of some space telescope images, study says
Astronomers have long been concerned about reflections from satellites showing up in images taken by telescopes and other scientific instruments.
Defense Department is reviewing boat strike video for possible release, Hegseth says
In a speech on Saturday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the strikes, saying: "President Trump can and will take decisive military action as he sees fit to defend our nation's interests."
Bama, Miami in, Notre Dame out and Indiana No. 1 in College Football Playoff rankings
Nobody paying attention for the past 24 months would be surprised to see Indiana – yes, Indiana – leading the way into this year's College Football Playoff.
McLaren’s Lando Norris wins first F1 title at season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris placing third, which allowed Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season-long standings.
A ban on feeding pigeons ruffles lots of feathers in Mumbai
The pigeon population has exploded — a result of people feeding the birds. For some it's a holy duty and a way to connect to nature. Critics point to health risks tied to exposure to pigeon droppings.
UN humanitarian chief: world needs to ‘wake up’ and help stop violence in Sudan
The UN's top humanitarian and emergency relief official has told NPR that the lack of attention from world leaders to the war in Sudan is the "billion dollar question".
