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 Aug. 14:
1. Schools reopen in Hamilton County: Just days into the new school year, sports teams are quarantining and some buildings are shutting down for cleaning.
Why it matters: Debates about school reopenings – whether to resume in-person classes or remain online only – have raged across the country. Hamilton County reopened this week with a phased approach that allows in-person learning some days and at-home, online learning other days. Parents throughout the area expressed concern about safety, especially as just days into the school year some schools were shutting down for cleaning and sports teams were quarantining.
Read more about how this year’s first day of school looks different and the online tool you can use to track COVID-19 cases in schools.
2. Study shows increased hospitalizations in places without mask mandates: A new report from Vanderbilt University shows how mask requirements are working.
Why it matters: Hospitals that mostly treated patients from areas without mask requirements on average saw a more than 200% increase in hospitalized COVID-19 patients since July, while hospitals that treat more patients from areas of the state with face mask requirements have seen their number of coronavirus patients stabilize or decline.
Read more about what the study says about mask mandates.
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3. State legislature passes increased COVID-19 protections for businesses: The bill substantially raises the legal bar for anyone filing suit alleging loss, damage, injury or death from the coronavirus.
Why it matters: Anyone now looking to sue a business, school or nonprofit for damages related to COVID-19 will have to prove the organization acted with “gross negligence or willful misconduct.” The bill protects businesses from lawsuits that were filed on or after Aug. 3.
Read more about what the bill means for legal protections for businesses.
4. At least 70 COVID-19 cases in Hamilton County jails: Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond said the total cases are “very low.”
Why it matters: The cases represent a total between the Hamilton County Jail and the Silverdale Detention Center. Jails have become a hotbed for spreading the virus across the country, including in Bradley County. Hammond said this week that masks are optional for inmates.
Read more about what we know about the coronavirus cases in local jails.
5. Pandemic and budget constraints have Chattanooga Fire Department struggling: Chattanooga Fire Department Chief Phil Hyman said the department has been struggling to meet minimum staffing requirements.
Why it matters: The staffing shortage comes as first responders quarantine after possibly being exposed to the virus. The fire chief said 16 people in the department tested positive for COVID-19 and roughly 80 have had to quarantine for at least some time due to potential exposure or symptoms.
Read more about how first responders are dealing with the staffing shortage.
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.
Contact Wyatt Massey at wmassey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249. Follow him on Twitter @news4mass.