Hamilton County Has One-Day Record 96 Coronavirus Cases; Hospitalizations (29) And Those In Intensive Care (17) Also At Record High

  • Friday, May 29, 2020

Hamilton County on Friday reported 96 more positive COVID-19 cases - the largest one-day total yet. That brings the total of confirmed cases in the county since the virus broke out in March to 939.

There are 29 coronavirus patients in Chattanooga hospitals, which is the largest number yet.

There are 17 coronavirus patients in Intensive Care in Chattanooga hospitals - also another record.

Deaths remain at 15.

“Transmission is associated with workplaces, with positive cases going to work, spreading it in the workplace and then workers taking the infection home, infecting their entire household,” said Health Department Administrator Becky Barnes, “We can’t stress enough that this virus is very active in our community. If you’re sick or suspect infection, do not go to work.”

According to Governor Lee’s Executive Order 38, effective May 22, employers are prohibited from requiring or allowing workers to work if they are positive with COVID-19. EO-38 also requires that persons with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms must stay at home.

The Health Department is seeing this increase in all sectors of industry and business. It is urgent that employers and individual employees take preventive actions at once to help contain the spread of the virus.

When workers cannot be more than 6’ apart, they need to wear masks. Free masks are available at the Health Department. Call 209-8383.

Avoid multiple employees in one vehicle, or wear masks while keeping the windows down to increase circulation.

Employees should take self-temperature before leaving home. Do not leave home with a fever or other symptoms.

Ensure ample hand wash/sanitizing stations in the work place, and urge employees to use them frequently.

 All businesses, industries, and organizations should adhere to the Tennessee Pledge guidance.

For workers who may have been exposed at work and live with other household members, follow this CDC guidance:

Limit errands out of the house. Wear a mask if you must go somewhere.

Vulnerable member (65+ and those with medical conditions) should avoid caring for children and those who are sick.

Separate a household member who is sick.

Without a vaccine, the only tools we have against this virus are social distancing, isolation, wearing a mask, and handwashing. Treat yourself and everyone around you as if you have COVID-19.

Facemasks can greatly reduce the asymptomatic transmission of the virus. They are more about preventing the virus from leaving the mouth and nose than from entering. Asymptomatic transmission is occurring in Hamilton County, said officials.

Nearly all zip codes in Hamilton County are affected. The complete county map showing the zip code distribution of COVID-19 cases can be viewed here.

The Health Department offers free testing this weekend at the following location and times:

Hardy Elementary, 2100 Glass St, Chattanooga, TN 37406
7-11 a.m. 
Drive-Thru and Walk-Up Testing Site

Starting Monday, Health Department free testing will be offered at:
Brainerd High School, 1020 N. Moore Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Orchard Knob Elementary School, 2000 E. 3rd St, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Both locations 7-11 a.m.
Drive-Thru and Walk-Up Testing Sites

The testing is free, no symptoms necessary, no referral needed.

The complete schedule and details for Health Department testing can be found on their website Health.HamiltonTN.org.

Anyone with questions should call the Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 209-8383. Hotline hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Nashville added 63 more cases in the last 24 hours - bringing the total to 5,210. An additional death was reported in Davidson County, a 90-year-old woman. It is currently unknown if she had any underlying health conditions. Deaths now are at 59.

There are 4,793 confirmed coronavirus cases in Shelby County - up by 90. Deaths are now at 108 - up three.

Knox County remains at five deaths and it has 366 cases - up nine.

Tennessee now has 360 coronavirus deaths - up by four since the Thursday report.

There were 406 new cases, bringing the total to 22,085.

There were 21 more hospitalizations for a total of 1,710.

Bledsoe County is at 606 cases with one coronavirus death. Almost all the cases are from Bledsoe County Correctional Complex at Pikeville. 

Bradley County is up to 113 cases - five more - with one death. 

Rhea County jumped from 13 cases to 188 related to an outbreak among migrant workers at a farm. It is now at 209 - 11 more than Thursday.

Marion County is at 39 cases. It has recorded one death. Sequatchie County is at 15 cases. Grundy County is at 32 cases with one death. Meigs County is at 26 cases. Franklin County has 51 cases with one death.

McMinn County is at 136 cases and now 14 deaths. All of those deaths are at the Life Care Center of Athens. 

Monroe County is at 61 cases and it has had two coronavirus deaths. Polk County is at 15 cases.

Sumner County (Gallatin) is up to 858 cases and remains at 45 deaths.

There are 542 cases in Williamson County and it has 10 coronavirus deaths. 

 

 

Latest Headlines
Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/19/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: AWOLOWO, APRIL 105 EUCLID STREET ATHENS, 373030000 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OVER $1000 BARNETT, ... more

Senator Colton Moore Challenger Hits "An Incumbent Bent On Self-Promotion Instead Of Humble Leadership"
  • 3/18/2024

Angela Pence, a Chickamauga resident who is making a race against 53rd District Senator Colton Moore, said she aims to bring principled, effective leadership "to a district that has gone unheard ... more

Wamp Pushing For Tighter Local Lobbying Rules, Tax Abatement Policies; Bigger Share Of Sales Tax
  • 3/18/2024

County Mayor Weston Wamp spoke to the Pachyderm Club on Monday about the significance of a state basketball title, the need for local lobbying regulations and tightening up on tax abatement policies. ... more