A Tennessee health official said this week that coronavirus-related hospitalizations and deaths are already at a “critical stage” in the state – warning that any post-holiday increase could push the state and already limited health resources to the limit.
“The next few days and weeks will really determine how our hospitals will function in the next month,” said Tennessee Department of Health commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey, according to the local news channel News Channel 5.
“Remember, it takes a few days to become infected after being exposed, and then it will take between five and eight days before hospitalization and then … after staying in the hospital for a few days, that’s when you start in the ICU”, added Piercey, noting that many state hospitals are “completely overwhelmed with their own patients” and cannot accept transfers.
She asked Tennesseans to “stay safe” during the holiday season.
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To date, the Voluntary State has reported more than 530,000 cases of COVID-19, with more than 6,200 deaths, according to official estimates.
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Meanwhile, some 14,000 people in the state have been hospitalized for the virus, according to state health data.