5 things to know about COVID-19 this week
Every week, the Times Free Press will publish five essential things to know about the coronavirus pandemic in the Chattanooga region. For more updated case count numbers and other data related to Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, visit timesfreepress.com/virus.
Five things to know about COVID-19 in the Chattanooga region for the week ending on July 31:
1
Hospital bed availability in Georgia: Places throughout Georgia, even counties hundreds of miles away, are looking to Chattanooga as local hospital capacity shrinks.
Why it matters: The availability of hospital beds is another example of how the local stresses from the pandemic have downstream effects on the region. Patients overwhelming a hospital in Georgia are already being transported to Chattanooga, which moves hospitals here closer to having to mobilize overflow staff.
2
Outbreak of cases in Georgia jail: Nearly all employees at the Chattooga County Jail have the coronavirus or symptoms.
Why it matters: Sheriff Mark Schrader said he has been scrambling to find employees from his department to work at the jail. Meanwhile, none of the roughly 38 inmates have been tested. Outbreaks in detention facilities throughout the country, including at the Bradley County Jail, have shown they can quickly become hotspots due to cramped living conditions.
3
July becomes deadliest month for COVID-19 in Hamilton County: On Friday, the health department announced the 18th death this month.
Why it matters: There were 15 deaths in June, now the second-deadliest month. Hospitalizations and people in the ICU with the virus remained high in July, one sign of the ongoing impact of the virus. People are often hospitalized a week or so after being exposed to the virus and can remain in the hospital for weeks. An upward trend in hospitalizations, and especially ICU admissions, is typically a signal that more deaths from the virus are coming.
4
White House coronavirus response coordinator visits Tennessee with warning: Dr. Deborah Birx was in Nashville this week with a message about wearing masks.
Why it matters: The White House has listed Tennessee as among a group of states in the “red zone” for the virus, meaning the testing positivity rate is above 10%. Dr. Birx, who is one of the top advisers to President Donald Trump, said she was visiting the state to encourage local leaders to take stronger steps in the face of rising cases.
5
Where cases are rising and falling around the region: Calculating the number of new cases per 10,000 people in each county allows for comparisons between rural and urban areas.
Why it matters: Calculating the number of new cases per 10,000 people in each county allows for comparisons between rural and urban areas. The most recent data shows that Hamilton County’s outbreak is not as severe as cases in Whitfield and Gordon counties in Georgia. However, several counties in Northeast Alabama are seeing drops in cases.
What are your experiences with the coronavirus? Are you or someone you love affected by it? What questions do you have? We would like to hear from you, so please contact efite@timesfreepress.com or wmassey@timesfreepress.com.