KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – Is Tennessee seeing the coronavirus surge? Did we just pass the top of the curve?
Possibly!
New estimates from the closely watched Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation show a leveling of hospital resource utilization.
RELATED: 35 active cases coronavirus in Knox County, 170 total
Its projections also show deaths from COVID-19 in Tennessee may have peaked Monday.
The health research institute also predicts COVID-19 deaths in Tennessee will total 481 by Aug. 4. In late March, it had estimated deaths in Tennessee by August at 1,551 and the forecasts have been trending downward since the state stay-at-home order.
One note of caution, however. The IHME projections assume full social distancing will continue through May while pressure is mounting to “get back to work” early in the month.
Both Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and President Donald Trump are talking about how to relax health restrictions so businesses can begin resuming in some fashion in early May.
Both said Monday they will study recommendations on opening for business. In East Tennessee, some political leaders have been urging Lee to get the economy rolling again, notably Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
Both state and federal health political and health leaders have pointed to the IHME estimates as mong the forecasts being used to predict the impact of coronavirus.
CORONAVIRUS NEWS:
- Coronavirus Timeline: Total COVID-19 cases near 175K, deaths now stand at 2,097 in the state
- CHART: Tennessee Department of Health’s count of coronavirus cases by day in state
- Greene County mayor extends mask mandate through September 30
- Video and pictures of packed house party near KU campus spark concern as virus cases rise
- Tennessee Coronavirus: Two weeks into September, state has seen a 12.48% increase in COVID-19 cases and a 19.56% increase in deaths
- Coronavirus in Tennessee: Knox County reports smallest 1-day increase in new cases so far in September
- Oxford and AstraZeneca resume coronavirus vaccine trial
- Tennessee Coronavirus: Total COVID-19 cases reach 171,824 with 933 new cases reported Sunday
- Coronavirus in Tennessee: Inactive cases rise by 204 as Knox County reports 121 new cases & no new deaths
- As Trump played down virus, health experts’ alarm grew
- Dakotas lead US in virus growth as both reject mask rules
- Tennessee Coronavirus: COVID-19 deaths hit 2,064 with 39 new ones reported Saturday
- Coronavirus in Tennessee: Inactive cases rise by 229 as Knox County reports 189 new cases & 3 new deaths
- As restaurants, bars re-open amid coronavirus, CDC study urges caution
- Ohio college students test positive for coronavirus, throw party
