DCH Coronavirus Update 9-1-20

COVID-19; How it has Impacted the 2020 Census, and Why You Should Care 2.0

For months, in-person visits by Census takers were on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now those visits have resumed but all offices are supposed to complete their work by September 30. Time is running out and both Alabama and your local community need your help.

Following is a brief outline on the importance of the Census that DCH sent out back in May, but now it is more important than ever.

It’s a questionnaire that only takes about 10 minutes to complete. But that brief action can have a huge impact on our local community and state, including funding for health care programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

The Census, conducted every 10 years, is a snapshot of our nation — who we are and where we live.

The results determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

In the future, lawmakers, business owners and others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools and clinics, new roads and more services for families, older adults and children.

Census results affect planning and funding for health care including programs such as Medicaid, Medicare Part B, State Children’s Health Insurance, the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, and block grants for community mental health services.

The Census affects the lives of all U.S. citizens, including Alabamians. So if you haven’t already, please complete the U.S. 2020 Census and encourage others to do so as well. Your information and privacy are protected. You can fill out the questionnaire here: https://my2020census.gov/.

Testing and Confirmed Cases

To protect patient privacy, DCH has established a minimum threshold of five for reporting numbers of inpatients with laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19.

DCH internal counts as of 2:50 p.m. on 9/1/20:

• 55 inpatients are being treated for COVID-19.
• 24 inpatients who are positive for COVID-19 are being treated in the ICU.
• 10 who are positive for COVID-19 are on ventilators.
• 12 who are positive for COVID-19 are on a BiPAP.
• 2,916 (cumulative) unique positives for COVID-19 tests including results from the ED, triage tent and inpatient. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 18,962 (cumulative) unique negatives for COVID-19 at DCH sites.
• 3,767 (cumulative) positive COVID-19 at DCH sites. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 26,327 (cumulative) negative tests at DCH sites.
• 813 inpatients (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have been discharged.
• 157 inpatients (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have died at DCH. This is not an indication of the cause of death, only that the individuals were positive for COVID-19 at the time of death.
• 92 Tuscaloosa County residents (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have died (per the Alabama Department of Public Health).

18-25 Demographic Information

• 4.1 percent of those 18-25 who tested positive for COVID-19 have needed inpatient care at DCH.
• 6.1 percent of women 18-25 who tested positive for COVID-19 have needed inpatient care at DCH.
• 1.5 percent of men 18-25 who tested positive for COVID-19 have needed inpatient care at DCH.