Ever since the Authorisation to Effect (and for some time before if my memory is correct) the published AMEX short interest has stayed in the range of 2 to 3 million shares without any major signs of covering. The average volume has actually decreased over that time so the number of days to cover has increased.

The constant 100 share blocks flipping and the occasional large block is almost certainly funds fishing for, and finding distressed sellers and accumulating their shares at bargain basement prices.