Three things for August 26
1.Cleveland City Schools closed Thursday and Friday due to infection
All Cleveland City Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday and will reopen on Monday. This unscheduled closure is due to staffing shortages caused by the recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in Bradley County.
The school system asks that all students and staff wear masks whenever they return to class on Monday.
“When we return to school on Monday, Aug. 30, students and staff are requested to wear masks. Also, please consider making an appointment with your family physician or other medical provider regarding the COVID-19 vaccine,” says a press release from the Cleveland City Schools. “The two days we are closed might be the right time for you and your family to make this important decision.”
2. Bradley COVID-19 cases rise, mayor urges testing and vaccination
This week, Bradley County met the 1% threshold with 1,106 active cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday. Children and youth, age five to 18, account for 294 cases.
Bradley’s average positivity rate this week is 25%. 41.3% of Bradley County is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on nearly every aspect of our daily lives. We must work together if we ever hope to put the worst of this pandemic behind us,” said Mayor Gary Davis in a press release. “People need to be vaccinated.”
The mayor goes on to explain that vaccinated individuals are not the majority of hospitalized cases in Bradley County and that vaccinated individuals who are hospitalized are in a high risk category.
“We are not seeing large numbers of those who have been vaccinated being admitted to our local hospitals. Vaccinated individuals who do get admitted are typically those in the higher risk category, and do not require intensive treatment or the assistance of a ventilator,” said Davis.
Local hospitals and EMS are facing staffing issues and bed shortages due to the number of COVID-19 cases in Bradley County.
“The snowball effect of the backup at local hospitals creates another challenge as well. Bradley County EMS personnel are often delayed from taking other important calls because they are waiting for beds to open up or hospital staff to become available,” said Davis. “We have ambulances waiting for long periods of time at the hospital, trying to offload patients and cannot because there is no space, or no one to care for them. No one is to blame. We are in this situation together.”
Davis encourages patients to first consult with their doctor or an urgent care clinic if possible to help alleviate the backup.
“First, consult with your primary care physician or walk-in clinic. They will assess your overall health, risk category, as well as important vital signs such as the oxygen level in your body. They may treat your symptoms with over the counter or other prescription medications. In more serious cases, they may refer you to the hospital for more extensive treatment,” said Davis.
3. National Hurricane Center monitors disturbance in the Caribbean
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance in the Caribbean that could pose a serious threat to the Gulf Coast in the coming days.
The disturbance, designated as 99L, while currently unnamed, could make landfall in the Gulf as a powerful and catastrophic hurricane in the near future.
Computer models predict rapid organization and strengthening due to its quick movement, should the storm system fully form.
The water in the Gulf of Mexico on the sea surface currently ranges from 86 to 90 degrees, which would aid the storm system in its growth.
Computer models cannot currently track the trajectory of the storm, but it is predicted to landfall in either Texas or Louisiana. A more clear model will be seen whenever the system fully develops.
Currently, no action is needed, but individuals should stay weather aware in the coming weeks as the National Hurricane Center tracks this system.
To monitor this system, click here.
