Elizabeth Fite

The number of active COVID-19 cases reported daily on the Hamilton County Health Department website dropped from 1,505 to 603 on Thursday, raising eyebrows across the county and prompting an explanation from department officials.

The Erlanger Health System Board of Trustees voted Thursday to suspend lump sum payments from the hospital's pension plan in an effort to strengthen the plan, which was about 36% funded — or $83.5 million underfunded — as of June 30.

Chattanooga leaders are worried about the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic but most feel confident about regional preparedness for the looming flu season, according to the latest Times Free Press Power Poll — which surveyed 134 individuals in Chattanooga and Hamilton County who make or influence policy decisions at the local, state and federal levels.

It was by accident that Jerry Czerkasij, a 35-year respiratory therapist, pursued a career in health care.

Obesity in the United States is at an all-time high at the same time research is showing a strong connection between obesity and serious COVID-19 infection, according to a new report.

Every week, the Times Free Press will publish five essential things to know about the coronavirus pandemic in the Chattanooga region.

Tennesseans who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities could be reunited with their loved ones in person as soon as Oct. 1, according to new guidelines from the Tennessee Department of Health.

Since March, at least 360 residents of the Chattanooga region have lost their lives due to the coronavirus, including 87 in Hamilton County and 59 in Whitfield County. August proved to be the deadliest month so far, with 122 lives lost across the region.

As the virus continues to impact all parts of life, the Times Free Press compiled photographs and revisited some of the biggest stories throughout the past six months.

As the number of young people with COVID-19 in the state grows, Tennessee children's hospitals are starting to see pediatric patients with a mysterious illness believed to be connected to the coronavirus, known as multi-inflammatory syndrome in children.

They've spent time away from their families, friends and favorite pastimes, combing over the latest scientific literature and burning the candle at both ends to keep their patients, colleagues and communities safe through a rapidly changing pandemic.

Health officials are bracing for a potential COVID-19 case surge as a result of Labor Day parties and social gatherings.

Social gatherings such as parties and carpooling - not classroom interaction - are driving COVID-19 case surges in young people, according to local health and school officials.

Dr. Rob Headrick, chief of thoracic surgery at CHI Memorial Chest and Lung Cancer Center, has made it his mission to prove that lung cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence — that even people who are most at risk, such as longtime tobacco users and those with a family history of cancer, can complete treatment and go on to live healthy lives.

StoneBridge Healthcare's unsolicited bid to buy Erlanger Health System came as a surprise to Erlanger officials and some community leaders, but not to people who are in the business of buying and selling hospitals.

"Erlanger is not for sale" remains the mantra after a private equity firm presented Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger with a $475 million offer last week to buy Chattanooga's public hospital system.

A new private equity firm aiming to purchase and turn around financially distressed urban and suburban hospitals has offered $475 million to buy Erlanger Health System from Hamilton County.

Quarantine is a longstanding public health tool thrust into the spotlight by the coronavirus pandemic, affecting everything from home life to work and travel schedules.

From trying new drugs to changing how they use ventilators, Chattanooga area clinicians have become a lot better at treating COVID-19 patients since the early days of the global pandemic.

With some Tennessee lawmakers raising objections to being sidelined as Gov. Bill Lee issues executive orders addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, a special legislative panel met for the first time Thursday to discuss how they can provide more oversight and possibly impose new restrictions on Lee's use of emergency powers.