Three things for September 2

1. Illinois church conference linked to nearly 200 COVID-19 cases

At least 180 Covid infections in three states have been traced to an Illinois church camp for teenagers and an affiliated men’s conference that did not require attendees to be vaccinated or tested. https://t.co/gAuYhjhd8M

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 1, 2021

The Illinois Department of Public Health has linked nearly 200 positive COVID-19 cases to a five-day church camp and two-day men’s conference. 

As of September, 180 COVID-19 cases have been linked to attendees and those in contact with attendees. 

Of the 180 confirmed cases, 122 were attendees; 87 contracted the virus during the church camp and 35 contracted it during the men’s conference. According to the New York Times, 102 of those cases were in unvaccinated attendees. 

Five people have been hospitalized during this outbreak.

Nearly 300 teens between the ages of 14 and 18 attended the 5-day church camp, and 500 people attended the men’s conference.

2. Bradley County mayor recovering from COVID-19 

Longtime Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating, according to a statement released shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday by Adam Lewis, executive assistant to the county mayor.https://t.co/SOxFH7q4V6

— Cleveland Daily Banner (@clevelandbanner) August 31, 2021

On Friday, Mayor Gary Davis began a voluntary self quarantine after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. He self-isolated over the weekend and tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, Aug. 31. 

In an interview with the Cleveland Daily Banner, Davis said, “I’m [feeling] better today,” adding, “all the symptoms have gone away, but I’ve been really sick over the weekend.”

Davis continues to encourage Bradley County residents to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“I am so thankful that I had gotten the vaccine and therefore I’m sure my symptoms were much less severe because of that,” he said. “Yes, I’ve been vaccinated, and I still got it, but I’m not as sick as I might have been if I hadn't been vaccinated.”

Cleveland City Mayor Kevin Brooks, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2020, echoes Davis’ vaccine rhetoric. 

“If you have not already been vaccinated, please do consider doing so after consulting with your physician,” said Brooks. 

3. Tennova Healthcare operating at 100% capacity 

Joint COVID Status Statement from area hospitals, including East Tennessee Children's Hospital, @CovenantHealth, Tennova Healthcare, @utmedicalcenter, @Blount_Memorial and Sweetwater Hospital Association. https://t.co/9X2mg8snkX pic.twitter.com/shzj49q2uS

— East Tennessee Children's Hospital (@EastTNChildrens) September 1, 2021

The Cleveland location of Tennova Healthcare has been, “completely, 100% full for the last six weeks,” said Dr. Bill Johnson, chief medical officer. 

Currently 78 COVID-19 patients are being treated in the hospital, eight of which are vaccinated. 

The hospital’s 123 non-ICU beds are full and its 25 ICU beds are 98% full. 

As of Wednesday night, there were 1,459 active COVID-19 cases in Bradley County. 

Only 31.83% of Bradley County is fully vaccinated with 37.41% having received the first dose. 

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