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Hamilton County reports 41st COVID-19 death as ICU patients reach record levels for the third straight day

Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Workers collect samples to test for COVID-19 at Brainerd High School on Monday, July 20, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Workers collect samples to test for COVID-19 at Brainerd High School on Monday, July 20, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Workers collect samples to test for COVID-19 at Brainerd High School on Monday, July 20, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The Hamilton County Health Department announced a new COVID-19 death Tuesday, bringing the county total to 41 as the numbers of hospitalizations and people in the intensive care unit continue to break single-day records.

The death reported Tuesday – a Black woman between 71 and 80 years old – is the 11th death this month.

The health department reported 121 hospitalizations and 30 people in the ICUs as well, up from the previous record high a day earlier with 116 hospitalizations and 29 people in the ICUs. The number of hospitalizations also includes individuals who are at hospitals awaiting test results for suspected infection.

Increases in hospitalizations in the county continue to be driven by the virus’ impact on surrounding counties. Just 44 of the 121 total hospitalizations reported Tuesday were of Hamilton County residents. Tuesday marked the 8th time the single-day hospitalization record was broken this month.

Despite the continued growth in patients, personal protective equipment and testing supplies in local hospitals are adequate, Rae Bond, chairwoman of the local COVID-19 Task Force, said at a news conference on Tuesday.