Capping off an unprecedented surge of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the past five weeks, November was the deadliest month for the coronavirus in Hamilton County, killing 44 county residents.
The death record surpassed the previous high mark of 27 local deaths in August and November was the deadliest month for a 21-county region that includes Hamilton County in Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama, as well. In that region, 199 people died of the virus in November. The previous high was 143 people in October.
The trend that began in the final week of October is likely to get even worse as the colder months force more people indoors and millions of Americans may have been exposed to or spread the virus through Thanksgiving gatherings last week.
Despite the calls of elected officials and public health leaders to stay home, millions of Americans traveled across the country for the holiday, although in smaller numbers than in previous years. In the four days leading up to Thanksgiving more than 3.9 million people traveled through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, according to data from the organization. That’s about 40% of the volume TSA recorded in 2019.