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. You can also text 5Things to 4234019454 to get this weekly article texted to you each week.
Five things to know about COVID-19 in the Chattanooga region for the week ending Nov. 13.
1. Hamilton County COVID-19 outbreak reaches dangerous levels: Multiple records broken this week as surge passes previous highs.
Why it matters: A multi-day streak with more than 210 new infections a day pushed cases levels to all-time highs this week as Hamilton County broke records for daily new infections, active cases, confirmed hospitalizations and test positivity rate. The surge comes as local health experts warn pandemic fatigue is causing residents to take risks that would have been unthinkable months ago but are now happening during a time of greater risk.
Read more about this week’s surge and why it is likely to get worse before it gets better.