"The route to a pre-pandemic lifestyle follows the vaccination road."

Alabama is seeing increasing cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations each day, the highest numbers since February. The Delta COVID-19 variant, identified in all parts of the state, is now believed to make up over 80 percent of all cases of COVID-19 within Alabama. The emerging evidence about the Delta variant shows that it is easier to spread and produces higher viral loads than earlier versions of the virus, such as the Alpha strain. And, there is evidence now that, unlike what we have experienced with the Alpha strain, persons who are fully vaccinated might be infectious and thus spread the virus to others.

As Alabama is seeing substantial levels of transmission, most counties are at high risk or very high risk. As of July 27, there were 1,083 persons hospitalized, with positive case numbers exceeding 2,000 per day. Of the 2,379 COVID-19 deaths reported from January 19 through June 30, 2021, only 25 deaths were reported among those identified as fully vaccinated, showing that 99 percent of all deaths have occurred in unvaccinated persons.

As a result of the spread of the Delta variant nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals who are in areas where there is substantial or high levels of community transmission, including persons who are fully vaccinated, wear a mask in all indoor settings and follow other mitigation measures to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant. The updated mask guidance should be followed with all persons wearing masks indoors regardless of vaccination status in order to protect others. With the latest guidance, Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) employees regardless of immunization status are again required to wear face coverings while working to help slow the spread of the virus, provided it is medically safe and practical to do so.

CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors in K-12 schools regardless of their vaccination status.

CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors in K-12 schools regardless of their vaccination status. Guidelines are based upon scientific evidence and supported by expert groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics. ADPH strongly recommends that all persons in schools wear masks as part of a layered approach to reduce the spread of this virus. Local school boards may issue directives for masks as recommended by the guidance. ADPH and CDC guidance will ensure that school administrators and school nurses have the best health information to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in school districts throughout Alabama. These guidelines represent the best evidence available to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, along with disease, potential hospitalization, and risk of death from this virus.

The most effective tools to reduce the spread of COVID-19 continue to be COVID-19 vaccines. Alabama has more than 1,400 locations where free vaccine is available to all, with or without insurance. Vaccines work with the immune system to help fight the virus if exposed, and vaccines offer the best protection against severe illness and death. Vaccines also can help prevent long-term side effects which can persist even after having a mild version of the disease.

The route to a pre-pandemic lifestyle follows the vaccination road.

The route to a pre-pandemic lifestyle follows the vaccination road. People often have legitimate questions about vaccine safety, and some have health reasons that preclude them from vaccination. There are almost as many complex reasons people give for refusing vaccination as there are people, but those who opt not to be vaccinated and contract the virus put everyone at risk. We urge people who are hesitant to be vaccinated to contact their own healthcare providers or ADPH before concluding they should not be vaccinated. Fully vaccinated people are less likely to spread the virus to others, even if they get COVID-19. Severe illnesses and deaths from COVID-19 are overwhelmingly in the unvaccinated. Follow the data and science and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Scott Harris, M.D.

State Health Officer

(August 2021)