TDH: More than 16,000 cases and 100 new deaths identified in Tennessee

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The Tennessee Department of Health reports an astounding 16,036 new COVID-19 cases and 111 additional deaths over the weekend in the Volunteer State.

On Saturday, 6,347 new cases and 57 virus-related deaths were reported. At the time, 2,893 Tennesseans were in the hospital and the health department had identified 431,403 recoveries from COVID-19.

Sunday, TDH reported 9,689 new coronavirus cases and 54 more deaths. The number of hospitalizations decreased to 2,789 and recoveries increased to 434,977.

This new data reveals that over the weekend, Tennessee’s case count is now 519,687. Also, 6,071 Tennesseans have lost their lives to the virus so far.

TDH also addressed concerns of dwindling hospital capacity due to the sharp increase in cases.

According to the health department, only 16 percent of floor beds are available, meaning only 1,833 out of 11,520 hospital beds are available. As far as ICU beds, the stats are even more concerning. Only 10 percent of ICU beds in Tennessee are available– out of 2,051 beds, only 199 more are left.

“If we have another surge after Christmas or New Years, it will completely break our hospitals,” TDH Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercy said.

More people across the state await their chance to be vaccinated as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine continue to be shipped and distributed. Health officials also keep advising against large gatherings for the holidays and continue to encourage wearing masks and being cautious.

To learn exactly how they’re being distributed in Tennessee, read the state’s plan here.

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