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Mobile attributes new high in daily coronavirus cases to young people - AL.com

Mobile County recorded its largest single-day spike in coronavirus cases Tuesday, stunning public health officials who had started feeling optimistic about what had otherwise been a “slow and gradual increase” in the number of cases since last month.

The 103 new cases added on Tuesday was 35 more than the county’s previous daily high in March, according to Dr. Rendi Murphree, an epidemiologist who is the director of the Mobile County Health Department’s Bureau of Disease Surveillance and Environmental Services.

“We’re shocked to see more than 100 cases added in one day,” she said.

The spike is attributed to people ages 18-29. She said that 35 new cases involving that age group were added on Tuesday, up from just 6 on Monday.

“It adds strength to this pattern we’re seeing is that most of the cases added in the last few weeks are driving by the youngest age categories –those who will have a rather mild illness,” Murphree said. “We believe that is what is driving community transmission around Mobile.”

Mobile’s 103 cases represented 16% of the 639 new cases reported in Alabama on Tuesday. Mobile is just behind Montgomery and Jefferson counties for most total cases since the pandemic began in March.

For Alabama, 11 of the top 12 days of the pandemic have come in June.

The escalation in Mobile comes as several restaurants announced temporary closures after employees came in contact with the virus. Moe’s Original BBQ in downtown Mobile is closed after an employee was “exposed to COVID-19.” The employee has not worked at or had any contact with employees at the other five Moe’s restaurants.

“During this closure, we are taking precautionary measures to have the restaurant disinfected and our entire staff tested before reopening,”an official with the restaurant wrote on the eatery’s Facebook page. “We will open as soon as it is safe for everyone.”

Bluegill Restaurant on the Spanish Fort Causeway is also closed until further notice. The restaurant, in a Facebook post, indicated that “COVID-19 has impacted our Bluegill family.” The restaurant closed Sunday and will be professionally cleaned and sanitized, according to its Facebook page.

Murphree said restaurants throughout Alabama are supposed to adhere to the current Safer at Home State Health Order that expires on July 3, and requires restaurant employees to wear face coverings. She also said other “close contact” businesses – barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, massage therapists -- are required to have their employees wear face coverings as well.

“I continue to get questions from businesses that clearly are not reading the governor’s health order,” said Murphree. “It states that anyone from a restaurant that interacts with the public shall wear a face covering. It’s not a suggestion. It’s an order.”

The escalation in Mobile County also comes as neighboring Fairhope in Baldwin County is coping with a virus confirmation at City Hall. The city is urging anyone who attended Monday’s council meeting or conducted business at City Hall since June 18, to be aware that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

“Unfortunately, an employee at City Hall has received a positive test for COVID-19,” the news release from Fairhope states. “Additionally, multiple individuals in attendance at the City Council meeting … have been or may have been exposed to COVID-19 through contact with third parties who have tested positive. None of the individuals that tested positive were at the meetings.”

The Fairhope City Council is scheduled to host a special meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday to discuss canceling the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show. A city spokeswoman said the cancellation decision is unrelated to the COVID-19 case at City Hall.

Fairhope Mayor Karin Wilson, in a Facebook statement, said she’s imploring the council to consider the implications of having the July 4th celebration this year due to the COVID-19 exposure. Fireworks in Baldwin County are a mixed bag this year – cities like Gulf Shores and Saraland have canceled their shows, but Robertsdale and Daphne are planning to move ahead with their shows.

“Confirmed cases are increasing and although I have been restricted from sharing Fairhope data with the public (something I’ve been challenging for months), canceling this event is a necessary decision. We hope to hear from council on the final decision soon,” wrote Wilson.

In Mobile, the city council authorized $30,000 to spend on pyrotechnics for a Fourth of July show. There is no word on whether the show will be canceled.

Red, White and Poof: Alabama’s July 4th firework shows fizzle due to coronavirus

The current Safer at Home Order’s expires on July 3, and it’s not clear what orders, if any, the state could issue for the Fourth.

“We will have to wait and see,” said Murphree, referring to whether Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey or State Health Officer Scott Harris will be willing to loosen the existing order and the social distancing requirements for cities that agree to host the holiday events.

“This incredible rise of cases in Alabama, I doubt (Ivey) will lift the order,” Murphree said.

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Mobile attributes new high in daily coronavirus cases to young people - AL.com
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