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Five things to know about COVID-19 in the Chattanooga region for the week ending Feb. 5

Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / The menu is seen on the wall as people wait in line to order at Lil Mama's Chicago Style Hoagy on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / The menu is seen on the wall as people wait in line to order at Lil Mama's Chicago Style Hoagy on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Wyatt Massey February 5, 2021 3 min read

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 Feb. 5.

1. Hamilton County drops vaccine age eligibility to 70 and older: The move state guidance but the county will not receive a boost in weekly shipments.

Why it matters: The decision announced Thursday provides continuity in eligibility across the state, said Becky Barnes, Hamilton County Health Department administrator. Moving the age bracket makes around 16,200 more people eligible alongside the approximately 26,500 people age 75 and older in the county. However, Hamilton County will not be receiving more vaccines each week, despite the state announcing an expected 15% boost in new doses.