Resumption of Classes Likely Causing Uptick in West Alabama COVID Cases

Medical professionals in West Alabama are seeing "a small uptick" in COVID-19 cases, which can likely be attributed to classes resuming at area schools, colleges, and universities.

These cases are far less severe and far fewer in quantity than what we saw in the worst days of the pandemic in 2020, specialists at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa said.

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"We have seen an uptick in our patient numbers - not very much, and patients are not as sick as they were during the pandemic, of course," said Neil Daniel, DCH's Infectious Disease Prevention Director.

Dr. Pia Cumagun was also part of a Thursday interview about the new cases, and she stated that the resumption of classes was likely a major contributing factor.

"One of the biggest reasons is probably that school is starting back, so more people are gathering together," she said. "We just need to be more aware of the numbers ticking up, and in addition to that, flu season is coming upon us. We all have to wash our hands and be mindful of all of that."

Even if the cases are spreading due to school events, Cumagun said many of her patients are older individuals whose symptoms may be more severe than those of younger people, and that everyone needs to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses to those who are more vulnerable.

This round of cases is less severe than the worst waves of the past, Cumagun said, most patients are presenting with flu-like symptoms that do not require hospitalization, and especially not ventilation.

"Herd immunity does play a role in it," she said. "More people have been exposed, and probably the antibodies that we've created are significantly more than what they were in 2020 when everyone's bodies were just seeing the virus for the first time."

For now, just be mindful when gathering around people and practice the always-good advice of washing your hands regularly.

For more coverage of local news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.