Medical bills are often what push families into personal bankruptcy, a costly process that can cancel most debts. A nonprofit is trying to help cut the cost.
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.
Biden announces free COVID tests, aid for hospitals to deal with omicron
The U.S. government will buy a half-billion at-home COVID test kits and mail them to people who want them, with deliveries beginning in January.
The Omicron variant arrives in Nashville, but Delta is still the local COVID concern
A Nashville resident who recently returned from South Africa has been confirmed as the city’s first confirmed patient with the COVID Omicron variant. The Metro Public Health Department says the patient was vaccinated and boosted, and experienced mild symptoms.
Vanderbilt gets the go-ahead to build a hospital in Murfreesboro, despite no current need for additional beds
The $144 million facility passed the Health Services and Development Agency on Wednesday by a vote of 5-1.
Why Meharry decided to put COVID stimulus money into students’ pockets
Just before students at Meharry Medical College went home for Thanksgiving, Dr. James Hildreth, the school’s president, emailed them a video message that he acknowledged seemed hard to believe. Or, at least, they would have to give it a second listen.
Mayfield candle factory workers transported to Vanderbilt trauma center for chemical burns
At least 28 Kentucky storm survivors were transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center over the weekend to be treated for serious injuries. Many were from the candle factory that collapsed in Mayfield.
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.
In Tennessee, unvaccinated residents are more vulnerable than ever as new variants arrive
Many Tennesseans are more vulnerable than ever as the omicron variant arrives. Even with 50% of the state still unvaccinated, other public health protections are unlikely to be revived to slow the spread of COVID.
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