The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to affect residents throughout Hamilton County, but more and more is spreading the potentially deadly disease at large-scale events.
A month ago, the Hamilton County Health Department issued a community-wide warning because the number of new cases that could be linked to a previously known case dropped to 32% of all infections. Since then, the rate has increased to 46% since Tuesday.
Rae Bond, chairman of the province’s COVID-19 task force, said the increase was due to more cases coming from single, large meetings. These types of events should be avoided, she said.
“It’s best not to go to events and group them in groups where you are not masked,” Bond said during a news conference Tuesday. “There are just some things that can help us as a community on the right side of this, and large meetings are not one of the things that can help us get on the right side of managing the pandemic. “
Recently, dissemination has been linked to personal gatherings, such as weddings, church services, and graduation ceremonies. Exaggerated events – in which a single infected person can spread much of the virus in a short period of time – can exponentially increase the health department’s contact information as they try to keep up with any potential contact of any new case.
In May, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order to increase the number of people allowed to participate in social and recreational activities from 10 to 50. However, the city of Chattanooga has refused to give permission for activities that gather more than 10 people. The restriction forced Protestants to move to private property instead of gathering at Miller Park two weeks ago.
In July, Westmore Church of God criticized criticism for hosting a regional convention for the denomination of Church of God, in which dozens of people were infected. After a week of silence, the pastor said the church no longer counted the number of infected people. The state and international denomination offices are closing because of the virus.
Earlier this month, local Republicans were criticized for holding the Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser. Most of the hundreds of people who attended the indoor event did not wear masks. This week, state member Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, who attended the dinner, was placed in the intensive care unit with the virus, but has recovered.
(READ MORE; As COVID-19 cases begin to decline in Hamilton County, other indicators show progress)
Dr William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said it’s good to tell organizers you are not comfortable attending personal events at the moment.
“If you attend any of these events, be prepared to understand that the virus will be there,” Schaffner said. “You can be statistically assured that someone is bringing the virus, because these are apparently people who do not strictly follow the current COVID prevention guidelines.”
Many people organize and attend such meetings despite the best available public health advice and although there are virtual options. Although the risk of infection can never be reduced to zero, there are things that can be done to minimize the chance of exposure, Schaffner said.
Look at your own risk first: How old are you? Do you have underlying health conditions? Can you quarantine if you are exposed? Because of this if you decide.
Second, read the room. Go right before the ceremony begins. Stay away from others and maybe sit at the back or at a window, Schaffner said.
Third, stay true to the plan. Do not go back to old behavior. This will be appealing because you will be around people you know and love, Schaffner said.
“You will wear a mask. Even if you are the only one in the room, wear the mask,” he said. “This is not a time when I think you should hug and kiss everyone. Keep your distance. Want to say, ‘Aunt Sarah, I’d like to give you a hug. You know, it’s COVID time,’ give her a smile and a smile in your eye and keep her separate from people. “
Under the Hamilton County mask mandate, face masks must be worn during weddings and funerals, except for the actual ceremony, in which masks are not required due to a religious exemption.
However, Dr Paul Hendricks, health officer with the province’s health department, said that voluntarily wearing the mask at the ceremony is highly recommended.
“It is very important that you do not attend such events if you suffer from symptoms related to COVID-19 or if you have recently been exposed to someone who is known to be infected with the virus,” Hendricks said. “It is also important to realize that, even with all these precautions, you cannot completely eliminate your risk of contracting the virus at such events, but you can certainly reduce that risk.”
Hendricks and Schaffner said you should only be tested if your symptoms start to develop. Going direct testing after attending a personal event may not be helpful because you may not start turning positive five or so days after exposure, Schaffner said.
“The rule is unfortunately not the more the merger. Just the opposite. The less, the better. If you’re on it, you can work these events out,” Schaffner said.
On Tuesday, the health department reported 173 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the province to a total of 6,986. However, the newly added cases include 90 historically likely cases that the province added to update data, according to a news release Tuesday. There were 58 people hospitalized with the virus on Tuesday, including 21 in the intensive care unit on Tuesday.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Fite contributed to this report.
Contact Wyatt Massey at [email protected] or 423-757-6249. Follow him on Twitter @ news4mass.
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