UAB Expert: Alabama Could See ‘Tidal Wave’ Of Coronavirus Cases This Month

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2020/12/124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1425;s:6:"height";i:801;s:4:"file";s:76:"2020/12/124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:17:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-771x433.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:433;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-768x432.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:74:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-800x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"gb-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"gb-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:27:"web-stories-poster-portrait";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-640x801.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:801;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"web-stories-poster-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-853x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:853;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"web-stories-poster-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:76:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-640x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:26:"web-stories-publisher-logo";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:74:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-96x96.jpg";s:5:"width";i:96;s:6:"height";i:96;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:21:"web-stories-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:75:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-e1606854355454-150x84.jpg";s:5:"width";i:150;s:6:"height";i:84;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Pfizer
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_wp_attachment_backup_sizes] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:18:{s:9:"full-orig";a:3:{s:5:"width";i:1425;s:6:"height";i:802;s:4:"file";s:53:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o.jpg";}s:14:"thumbnail-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:11:"medium-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:17:"medium_large-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-768x432.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:10:"large-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-771x434.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"wbhm-icon-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:59:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-800x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"wbhm-featured-square-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:23:"wbhm-featured-home-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:27:"wbhm-featured-carousel-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:33:"gb-block-post-grid-landscape-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:30:"gb-block-post-grid-square-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:19:"post-thumbnail-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:32:"web-stories-poster-portrait-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-640x802.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:802;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:33:"web-stories-poster-landscape-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-853x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:853;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:30:"web-stories-poster-square-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:61:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-640x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:31:"web-stories-publisher-logo-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:59:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-96x96.jpg";s:5:"width";i:96;s:6:"height";i:96;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:26:"web-stories-thumbnail-orig";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:60:"124386488_10158713879197243_3194750245257026768_o-150x84.jpg";s:5:"width";i:150;s:6:"height";i:84;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}
        )

)
1663535660 
1606832842

UAB health experts are expecting a surge in the number of new coronavirus cases in the coming weeks. Alabama hit 1,785 hospitalizations Tuesday, a new record that marks the most since August.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, head of UAB’s infectious diseases division, said she expects numbers to rise over the coming weeks because of Thanksgiving gatherings.

“This is a time when we need to start thinking of things like ‘tidal wave’ imagery. Tsunami imagery. We really are very, very concerned,” Marrazzo said. “Of course, the fear is that we have this constant level of surge, we have this spike right now, and we could really be in a situation in two to three weeks that comprises our ability to provide healthcare.”

The positivity rate in Alabama is up to 20%. At the same time, testing rates are down compared to previous months, according to Marrazzo. The number of available intensive care unit beds statewide is dwindling.

“If you look at some of the models that forecast what’s going to happen in three weeks after Thanksgiving and you superimpose it on the numbers we’re seeing now, you could conceivably see a true need for setting up ancillary care places,” Marrazzo said.

Vaccine Rollout Prioritizes Health Care Workers

Alabama is expected to receive 40,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in an initial shipment.

“Allocations can change,” Dr. Karen Landers with the Alabama Department of Public Health told WBHM in an email.

Additional vaccines will be shipped to Alabama depending on allocation models, supply, and whether other vaccines are granted Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Frontline health care workers and some first responders top the priority list for early doses, according to the ADPH’s Vaccination Allocation Plan. But there have been questions about whether nursing home residents and staff should also get priority.

“These are two-dose vaccines, so everything you see you’ve got to divide by two if you’re talking about fully immunizing people. Because a single dose, we hope, confers some protection, but we don’t think it’s enough,” Marrazzo said.

She said Alabama will likely receive the vaccines in January. Alabama was previously slated to receive the vaccine in December.

Editor’s Note: UAB holds WBHM’s broadcast license, but our news and business departments operate independently.

 

Trump administration rushes to rent space for immigration officers conducting raids

Employees at the General Services Administration are scrambling to lease offices to accommodate a rapid increase of immigration enforcement officers carrying out widespread raids across the country.

Bad Bunny skipped touring the states. Will other performers follow suit?

Artists from abroad are worried that the current climate is making American tours not worth the time and effort.

Trump suggests U.S. troops could return to Afghan base over China concerns

Trump floated the idea during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he wrapped up a state visit to the U.K. and tied it to the need for the U.S. to counter its top rival, China.

CDC’s new advisers debate changing guidance on childhood vaccines

The group was chosen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amid controversy over their credentials. It's considering making changes to the MMRV vaccine guidance among others.

For a girl-group veteran, love and fame are the same battlefield

Jade conquered the world with Little Mix, then watched the quartet burn out. On a kinetic solo debut, she puts romance in the ring with her first love: performance.

Trump says he disagrees with Starmer’s decision to recognize Palestinian state

President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talked about foreign affairs privately for about an hour, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

More Coronavirus Coverage