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 July 24:
1. Record number of people in intensive care units: The Hamilton County Health Department reported a new high in the number of people in the ICU three times this week.
Why it matters: People in the ICU represent those most critically hit by the virus. The current levels of people in the units are around double the number of people in the ICU during June, which was the deadliest month for the virus so far. The surge in hospitalizations and ICU patients has some officials beginning to discuss preparing an overflow site if the hospital systems become overwhelmed.
Read more about what the high number of hospitalizations could mean for a possible surge plan.
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2. Few critical care beds available in Northwest Georgia: This week, 11 beds remained available in a nine-county region of the state.
Why it matters: The region of the Georgia Department of Public Health that includes Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties typically has between 45 and 50 beds available. As the virus continues to hit Northwest Georgia – and particularly Whitfield County – strains on the local hospital systems could have ripple effects in surrounding medical systems.
Read more about how counties in Georgia are dealing with the surge.
3. Cases decline in some surrounding counties: Despite a high number of cases and hospitalizations in Hamilton County, Chattanooga is still not the area hardest hit by the virus.
Why it matters: Last week, DeKalb County, Alabama, had the highest number of new cases per 10,000 people with 7.12. The county reported 216 new infections in the past week, lowering the county’s per capita average of new cases to 4.33. Jackson and Madison counties in Alabama saw similar drops – Jackson from 4.61 to 2.36 and Madison from 5.12 to 3.36 new cases each day per 10,000 people. While a direct connection cannot be drawn, Alabama did create a statewide mask mandate in mid-July.
Read more about where COVID-19 cases are rising and falling in the Chattanooga region.
4. White House considers Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia in the ‘red zone’: A leaked document from the White House Task Force said the three states need to implement stricter measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Why it matters: The states were among 18 considered in the “red zone.” Among the guidelines to slow the spread were the implementation of a mask mandate, something governors in Tennessee and Georgia so far have not done. The document also states people should receive their test results within 12 hours. However, local slowdowns have many in Hamilton County waiting four days or more to get their results.
Read more about what the White House thinks Tennessee and other states should do.
5. Addressing mask misconceptions: As Hamilton County enters its third week of the countywide mask mandate, what are the ongoing misconceptions about face coverings?
Why it matters: Of all the misconceptions about masks, the most harmful ones center on the idea that masks are not worth wearing unless they’re 100% effective. However, Dr. Carlos Baleeiro of CHI Memorial Hospital said masks paired with social distancing are the most effective tools the public has to stop the spread of COVID-19. Confronting ongoing misinformation or misconceptions about them is an important step to increasing the number of people wearing them.
Read more about how masks are protecting your loved ones.
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.