Alabama hit a new high Monday for the number of COVID-19 patients requiring treatment – with 3,064 hospitalized.

Dr. Don Williamson, President of the Alabama Hospital Association, says the surge is due to the continued fallout from Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings along with the increased community transmission.  Williamson said he’s concerned that number of COVID cases will continue to grow from people who got infected during Christmas gatherings but haven’t yet started exhibiting serious symptoms.

Since the pandemic began the Alabama Department of Public Health has reported 374,095 confirmed and probable virus cases and at least 4,878 confirmed and probable virus deaths across the state.  While the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms in most people, it can be deadly for the elderly and people with other, serious health problems.

The state last month began distribution of the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine; that going to  health workers and nursing home residents.  Health officials say they hope to make vaccine available to people over 75 and to certain essential workers later this month.

Those who do not have an elevated risk because of their age and occupation likely will NOT be able to get the vaccine until spring or summer.

Meanwhile, in Cherokee County, according to the ADPH, we’ve seen a total of 1,454 cases of COVID-19 since March 13th – 985 confirmed, 469 listed as probable; countywide we’ve had a total of 22 deaths, with 19 of those confirmed as COVID-related and 3 listed as probable.

(AL.COM/www.al.com)