St. Clair County, along with the rest of Alabama, has seen a surge of COVID-19 cases following the holidays. Dr. Wes Stubblefield, who is the district medical officer for the north eastern Alabama Department of Public Health, said the infection rates are likely due to the new variant, Omicron. 

“We’ve seen some of the highest numbers we’ve seen over the course of the pandemic over the last few weeks,” said Stubblefield. “We and the CDC assume many of the new cases are due to the Omicron variant, which is much more infectious but maybe a less severe than the Delta variant.”

According to Stubblefield, case numbers for the north eastern sector of Alabama surpassed 10,000 within the five days of last week. The highest numbers prior to this within a week were 7000. He said those numbers have translated to 41% of health department Covid tests have been positive, with a distinct increase of pediatric cases. 

“It’s safe to say we are at a very high point of disease transmission in Alabama. It’s probably at the peak of where we will see cases,” said Stubblefield. 

Omicron has been found to be less severe, but still deadly to those with certain health risks. Stubblefield said there is still at least one death reported every day. According to state findings, the vaccines are less effective against preventing the disease, but with the addition of a booster shot, the odds of it being helpful are much greater.

“We’re recommending for people to get their vaccine and as soon they’re eligible, get their booster so they can have as much protection as possible,” said Stubblefield. 

He said this surge in cases was expected throughout the community due to people traveling for the holidays and then returning to their normal work day. The disease has a chance to be worsened now that the state has found flu and COVID can be had together. According to Stubblefield, flu season is here. 

Stubblefield said there are currently people admitted to the hospitals who do have both infections in Alabama. He said getting both the COVID and flu vaccines and remaining careful with the use of masks is absolutely necessary for citizens who are high risk. 

There is a current shortage of tests, most stores do not currently have rapid tests in stock. 

“There’s only so many of them, and they’re going all over the United States. I read today that someone is being diagnosed every eight seconds. There’s no way for production to keep up with these kinds of numbers. We’re encouraging people to get tested when and where they can,” said Stubblefield. 

Due to the current shortage of tests, he’s recommending that everyone with typical symptoms assume they have COVID and act accordingly until further notice.

“If think you have COVID and you can’t get tested, it’s better if you act like you have it and do the things you’re suppose to do like isolating yourself,” said Stubblefield. 

Within the last month quarantine time has been dropped down to five days. Stubblefield said this is enough days as long as people wear masks and continue to socially distance. 

“What they’ve found in good research is that the virus is infectious in the first few days mostly and goes down over time. They found that at day five people are about 31% infectious. The goal of going down in isolation days is that 31% of people would be infectious and those people wear masks to prevent the spread,” said Stubblefield. 

He said the original virus held on longer, but the Omicron variant is much quicker and people will have symptoms and recover sooner.

“There’s so many people getting sick that if we isolated and quarantined everyone, there would be no people to work and things would shut down,” said Stubblefield.