Alabama breaks single-day coronavirus record four straight days

Alabama has recorded record numbers of new coronavirus cases for four straight days amid a worsening outbreak in the state.

On Sunday, Alabama reported more than 1,000 cases in a day for the first time since the pandemic began, marking a fourth-consecutive record following 888 cases seen on Saturday, 859 cases on Friday and 848 cases on Thursday, according to state data.

The rate of positive tests is also on the rise, with the seven-day daily average reaching 13.39 percent as of Sunday, according to an analysis by the Alabama Reporter. The percentage is the highest since mid-April and is an increase of nearly 100 percent from last Sunday’s seven-day average of 7.78 percent.

The seven-day deaths average is also on the rise, but the increase has not been as steep, going from an average of eight per day last week to 11 per day as of Sunday.

Montgomery County had the most cases in the state as of Sunday, with 2,971, and saw its highest single-day total of 147 new cases Sunday. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed (D) pointed to what he said was the state’s overeager relaxation of lockdown measures for the increases.

“Montgomery County’s continued spike in confirmed cases is alarming but not unexpected. Alabama’s premature relaxation of pandemic precautions has given too many Montgomerians a false sense of safety,” Reed said, according to a Montgomery-area NBC affiliate.

“With less than five percent of the state’s population, we shouldn’t be home to more than 11 percent of Alabama’s confirmed cases. The health threat is still present and risks overwhelming our local health care system. Our whole community needs to practice safe habits: wear face masks, maintain social distancing and stay home when possible,” he added.

Alabama is currently in phase two of its reopening, a process that began in late May with some intensive care units in the capital still at capacity. The state had reported 25,615 total cases as of Monday, with 773 deaths.