Increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Bradley County are disturbing the county's mayor and led to a call for renewed vigilance against the virus.
In a Wednesday announcement from his office, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said the rise in cases is because of the spread of highly contagious variants and the "false sense of security and a deviation from the precautions necessary to stop the spread" among residents.
"It is frustrating and disturbing to watch important issues regarding public health become so politically polarizing," Davis said in a statement. "I trust the people of Bradley County to do the right thing and choose what is best for themselves when considering wearing a mask or to get the vaccine."
As of Tuesday, Bradley County had 331 active COVID-19 cases, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Health. The state data show 33.7% of county residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, a rate far below the state's total of 44.8% of Tennessee residents having received at least one dose.
Bradley County is averaging more than 110 first-dose vaccines a day in the past week, a rate that has roughly doubled since mid-July. However, the recent uptick is a fraction of the 481 daily shots the county averaged in a week in early April.
Earlier this week, Dr. Lisa Piercey, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, said 94 of Tennessee's 95 counties experienced an increase in vaccine demand in the past few weeks.
In the announcement, Davis encouraged people to get the vaccine but stated there is not a mandate from the county to get vaccinated. Similarly, the county mayor said there is no plan to create a mask mandate in the area.
Bradley County has never had a mask mandate. Last summer, Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks was hospitalized with the virus and urged people to wear masks.
Contact Wyatt Massey at wmassey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249. Follow him on Twitter @news4mass.