The decline shows spread of the virus is more controlled, though the closely-watched figure can be unreliable. The positivity rate is starting to dip below 10% for the first time since a sharp rise in July.
Facing a shortage of nurses, hospitals turn to higher pay and international staff
There’s some truth in a joke circulating among frustrated ICU nurses right now. They ask for their hospitals to appropriately pay them for the hazards they’ve endured through the pandemic. And they’re rewarded with a pizza party.
Lascassas father with ICU conversion on vaccine survives COVID
A month ago, Joe Gammon was on life support at Saint Thomas West. And his odds of recovering from COVID — even at age 44 — were not good. But he turned a corner. And then he was discharged to a round of applause. He rang a ceremonial bell to mark his departure.
Booster Shots Keep Tennessee Vaccination Sites Busy, Even As First Doses Decline
COVID vaccination sites in Tennessee have been busier since booster shots were approved late last month. But first doses continue to slow. And having residents take their first jab is still the top priority for state health officials.
Past The Peak? Sudden Drop In COVID Patients Gives Tennessee Hospitals Hope
Tennessee hospitals may have seen the worst of the delta surge. Even the largest hospitals in the eastern part of the state are experiencing a week-long decline in COVID patients.
COVID Hospitalizations Start To Decline In Tennessee But ICUs Remain Dangerously Full
“We’re managing them, but it is putting a strain on the system, trying to hold these patients in these hospitals until we can get them moved,” says Ruby Kirby, the CEO of the critical access hospital in Bolivar.
Nashville Sees Some Relief From Long Lines After Opening Additional COVID Site
Metro has opened a second drive-thru COVID-19 testing and vaccination center near Centennial Park. The center opened after complaints from the public of hours-long waits at the location in South Nashville.
Tennessee Hospitals Say They Need More Money To Compete With Neighboring States For Nurses
Tennessee has reopened a fund to help hospitals fly in temporary nurses as they’re short on staff. But hospitals are finding that there’s not much money left, even though the shortage is more critical than when they needed staffing help during the winter surge.
Tennessee Hospitals On Track To Surpass Highs From Winter Surge This Week
As the number of COVID patients in Tennessee hospitals continues to climb toward surpassing the peak of the winter surge, nearly a third of the more than 3,000 hospitalized are so sick that they’re being treated in the ICU.
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