By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — As coronavirus cases continue to surge across the nation, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed more than 30,000 cases of COVID-19 in the State of Alabama.

After what seemed like a lull period through the month of May, the state has added 9,181 cases in the last 14 days out of 92,632 tested as of press time on Wednesday, June 24. However, cases have fallen from a peak of 1,047 new cases recorded on June 12. 

“The increase in the numbers we’re seeing is not explained by an increase in testing,” said Alabama State Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “It’s caused by the number of disease transmission events that are going on in the state. There just seems to be community transmission going on.” 

While 879 deaths have been recorded statewide, the ADPH now reports an estimated 18,886 presumed recoveries from the virus in Alabama. To be considered a “presumed recovery,” a confirmed case has to have more than 14 days since a positive test without hospitalization or more than 32 days since a positive test with hospitalization or unknown hospitalization status.

At the time of press, DeKalb County had 445 cases with five reported deaths out of 3,856 tests.