Should Gov. Bill Lee allow mask mandates with COVID-19 infections peaking?
Welcome back to the Coronavirus Watch newsletter. It’s digital producer Ray Padilla giving you the latest news regarding COVID-19 and its spread in West Tennessee.
Last week, we discussed how experts predicted the omicron COVID-19 variant wave would soon peak and fizzle like it appears to be doing in other countries.
This week, Tennessee is now seeing the seeing the same result as the omicron is plateauing in the state’s cities.
Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey first announced the infection plateau during a briefing with state lawmakers Wednesday, saying the virus was flattening and even declining in "essentially all" metropolitan areas. Less-populated regions are expected to follow, she said.
While the case numbers may be beginning to plateau, there are still many Tennesseans being infected with the virus, causing hospitalizations and death.
Based on the Tennessee Department of Health’s COVID-19 numbers from Jan. 15, every county would be eligible to enact some form of a mask mandate — but only if Gov. Bill Lee declares a new state of emergency, our Brett Kelman reports in his story for subscribers.
Leaders in Nashville and Memphis expressed interest in bringing back at least limited mandate if they could, but Lee remains unwilling to make such a declaration.
"An emergency declaration is a tool we should use only when we have to," Lee said on Jan. 4. "There are a lot of things that go into the calculation for when you should do that, the first and foremost would be the number of people that are in the hospital."
Vaccination information
COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available to all Tennesseans 5 years old and up. No appointments are necessary. Walk-in options are available at all health departments, and you can also make an appointment if you prefer.
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized vaccine booster shots for people 12 years old and up.
For all vaccine information, eligibility, and to find vaccine sites in your area, visit the Tennessee Department of Health website.
Coronavirus by the numbers
Shelby County (as of Thursday):
21,251: Active cases
2,814: Total deaths
549,697: Fully vaccinated
Madison County (as of Jan. 15):
3,426: Active cases
374: Total deaths
90,419: Fully vaccinated (as of Wednesday)
Tennessee (as of Jan. 15):
183,779: Active cases
21,694: Total deaths
2,240,851: Fully vaccinated (as of Wednesday)
Note: Tennessee Department of Health no longer publishers virus statistics daily.
This has been Ray Padilla with your weekly update on COVID-19 news in West Tennessee. You can reach me by email at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Coronavirus updates: Gov. Bill Lee won't allow county mask mandates
