HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Health experts say more than 200 Alabamians have been killed by COVID-19 in just the past week.
Health care professionals say that a lot of this loss can be stopped with one simple move: getting vaccinated.
As of September 13, Decatur-Morgan Hospital is caring for 74 COVID, many of whom are unvaccinated.
"16% of our total 74 are vaccinated, 84% are not," said Decatur-Morgan Hospital President Kelli Powers.
So, who are these patients? You may be shocked to find out that the age range is wide and many of them haven't even made it to their 70's.
"So, I've got three that are in their 90's, two that are in their 80's, 15 that are in their 70's, 27 people in their 60's, eight in their 50's, nine in their 40's, nine in their 30's and one in their 20's. So, of the 74 hospitalized, you can see there are not a lot of elderly people, a matter of fact 20 [of them] are 70, or greater," said Powers.
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She says the vaccine is a lifesaver and that if it was a vaccine for anything other than the very politicized coronavirus, many people would hop right in line.
"You know, I know people who've had cancer, I know people who have, you know other diseases, they would love a vaccine. If we had a vaccine for cancer, do you not think everybody would sign up for that? I would, you know. So, it's the same thing if you could just get this shot, then it would keep you from dying," said Powers.
"Just to build on what Kelly just said, if we came out today with a vaccine that would give you a 91.5% chance of not dying with cancer, we would have people wrapped around the county, wanting to get that vaccine," said Michael Glenn with the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Glenn also says it's important to really think about where you are getting your information from, especially when it comes to decision-making about whether or not to get the vaccine.
"Please don't get your medical advice from late-night TV shows, from talk shows on the radio, please ask your health care professional," said Glenn.