Tennessee’s health commissioner is stepping down, making the announcement Thursday after three years in the role which has become the state’s pandemic chief. On her way out of state government, Dr. Lisa Piercey asking critics to consider more than just rates of COVID deaths and vaccinations when judging her time in charge.
TennCare proposes offering dental coverage to just about everyone in its program
Tennessee is trying to improve oral health. But which comes first: more dentists or more patients with dental coverage? It’s a classic chicken and egg problem. So state leaders are trying to expand both at once.
In Tennessee, don’t expect any more COVID contact tracing calls — for now
The state is winding down its increasingly futile attempts to investigate positive COVID cases and alert those who’ve been exposed, which means Tennesseans are pretty much on their own with contact tracing at this point.
No plans to expand COVID testing in Tennessee, despite Omicron’s rapid spread
Tennessee’s public health departments are experiencing long waits to get COVID tests as the Omicron variant rapidly spreads across the state. The new variant now represents an estimated 80% of all positive tests in the state. But there are no plans to expand testing capacity during the holidays.
Tennessee identifies 2,700 unreported COVID deaths, pushing the death toll beyond 20,000
Tennessee health officials have identified an additional 2,700 COVID deaths, mostly related to the Delta surge that began in the summer.
Tennessee’s neighboring states report first Omicron cases
It’s just a matter of time before Tennessee confirms its first Omicron case. As of Monday afternoon, three bordering states have identified cases of the new COVID variant.
Tennessee may funnel big money into dental schools in hopes of getting grads into rural areas
A proposal from the Tennessee Department of Health would expand dental school class sizes and forgive tuition for those who end up working in high-need areas. The five-year, $94 million pilot project was floated to Gov. Bill Lee during this month’s budget hearings.
From Kindergarten To College, Masks Make A Spotty But Divisive Comeback In Tennessee
Masking in schools has become so divisive that even Tennessee’s health commissioner won’t suggest whether districts should require face coverings. But at the same time, she’s asking for help so the state avoids overrunning children’s hospitals with pediatric COVID patients.
On Masking In Schools, Tennessee’s Governor Says ‘Parents Should Be Deciders’
Tennessee’s top officials have landed on a public stance for masking in schools: parents should decide.
Tennessee’s Youth Vaccine Outreach Isn’t Changing Much, Despite Dustup Over Consent
Tennessee will resume school-based vaccination events next week after putting them on hold over concerns from state legislators. The state health department will also continue providing the vaccine to older teens without parental consent if necessary, which is what Republican leaders had expressed urgent concerned about.
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