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Active COVID cases rise in Dyer County
BRANDON HUTCHESON
When the latest COVID-19 numbers were released Monday evening, July 26, the Tennessee Department of Health reported active cases to be at 66 in Dyer County, up from 21 active cases a week prior (July 19).
“Our situation right now is that we’ve more than doubled in the last 7 days,” said Dyer County Mayor Chris Young. “The number of patients in the hospital has more than doubled and the number of people on ventilators more than doubled since Friday [July 23]. The seriousness of the disease and the spreading of it has really increased. If we’re not careful, we’re going to be right back where we were.”
Active COVID-19 cases in the county have increased from 7 during the first week of July to 21 on July 19. On Monday, in only 7 days, the number of active cases grew to a total of 66, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
The TDH also listed Dyer County as having a total of 108 COVID-19 related deaths, the last being reported on June 7.
In the county data snapshot, provided by the TDH and last updated on July 26, Dyer County had a daily case rate of 20.4 cases per 100,000 residents from July 19-July 25, and also from July 12-July 25, the county averaged 5 new cases reported per day. In comparison, from June 28-July 11 the average was 0.8.
According to Amy Garner of West Tennessee Healthcare, as of Monday, July 26, the Dyersburg Hospital had 8 COVID-19 patients, 4 of which were in ICU. Of those 4 patients, 3 were on ventilators. She added the number of COVID patients in Jackson increased from 5 two weeks ago to 41 Monday morning.
Referring to the increase, Garner said, “This is largely due to unvaccinated individuals who have contracted the virus.”
Pertaining to testing, the TDH county data snapshot listed Dyer County as having an average of 21.9 tests per day over the past week, with the average positive percentage at 18.3.
In the latest state vaccination report on July 26, a total of 20,303 vaccinations have been given, with 28.74 of county residents receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, while 25.81 percent of residents have received two doses.
“This is much more deadly, and it spreads much more easily. We need to be vigilant and need to be getting our vaccines,” added Mayor Young. “That’s the only tool we’ve got to combat this. If people don’t wake up and start taking them, then we are going to be in trouble.”
The Dyer County Health Department, located at 1755 Parr Ave., is still offering drive-thru vaccines Monday-Friday. No appointment is necessary to receive a vaccine, however, those who would like to book an appointment time may do so online at www.vaccinate.tn.gov.
Currently, the Dyer County Health Department is giving the Pfizer vaccine, which is eligible for those 12 years and older. Children between the ages of 12-17 must have a parent present and have written parental consent for the vaccine.
Drive-thru vaccination hours are 9-10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as well as 1-2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Additionally, the health department is offering free drive-thru COVID testing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Dyer County had been under a facial covering mandate from July 20, 2020 – September 28, 2020 and also from October 22, 2020 – April 10, 2021. The mandate was possible by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee authorizing county mayors to issue mask requirement orders on July 3, 2020 with the signing of Executive Order 54. The authorization was extended throughout 2020 and into 2021 with the issuance of numerous other Executive Orders.
When asked if Young knew if the governor’s office was entertaining the thought of granting county mayors the authority the issue mask requirements again, he stated, “I certainly hope it does not get to that. I didn’t want to have that burden placed upon me the last time, and I certainly wouldn’t want to this time. If it comes down to it, we’ll have to take the evidence before us at the time and what we know at the time and base our decision on what we know at the time. Things change and you just have to go with what it is at the time. I would certainly hope we wouldn’t have to go down that path again.”