MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama reported more than 2,200 new coronavirus cases Thursday– the highest single-day increase in cases — as health officials cautioned it will take a few weeks to see the effect of a statewide mask order.
The spike came after several days of declining case numbers and as a number of school systems announced students will not immediately return to classrooms this fall.
The state topped more than 2,000 daily cases for the third time and is now averaging about 1,700 new cases reported each day.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey last week announced an order requiring face masks in public places. State health officials have cautioned it will take a few weeks to see any effect on case numbers.
“For the effects of masking, at least two weeks would be necessary, but three would be best,” State Health Officer Scott Harris wrote in a reply to The Associated Press.