DCH Coronavirus Hospitalizations Down Nearly 50% Since Feb. 1

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Coronavirus hospitalizations have been on a steady decline over the last month, with DCH Health System reporting a drop of nearly 50% since Feb. 1.

According to the latest inpatient data published by the health system on Saturday, DCH logged a total of 60 coronavirus-positive patients for the day — down drastically from 113 inpatients on the first day of the month. Saturday's coronavirus update also marked a decrease of 32 cases over the course of a week.

Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox during Tuesday's pre-council briefings said 35% of DCH coronavirus patients at that time were residents of the city of Tuscaloosa, with many patients being brought for treatment from around DCH's 11-county service area.

As of Friday, a total of 15 patients had died at DCH after testing positive for the virus over the course of the week. The Alabama Department of Public Health also reports Tuscaloosa County added 33 deaths of coronavirus-positive patients to its total over this time.

On the vaccine front, DCH on Friday said it expects to have provided 6,500 vaccines since last Saturday to those in phases 1A, 1B and those who are 65 or older. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) listed Tuscaloosa as one of eight sites to provide 1,000 vaccinations per day over the last week as DCH heads up the local efforts.

According to Bamatracker.com, Tuscaloosa County added 48 new coronavirus cases to its overall total on Saturday, adding to more than 1,000 cases identified over the last two weeks. The coronavirus death toll for Tuscaloosa County currently sits at 391 — with 264 confirmed and another 127 classified as probable.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Tuscaloosa County has confirmed 15,894 total coronavirus cases, while 7,520 are listed as probable.

Follow Patch here for updates or on Facebook and Twitter.