Oak Ridge Today





Roane State to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Oak Ridge for students & employees

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Roane State Community College, in partnership with the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, is planning a two-part vaccination clinic at its Oak Ridge Branch Campus for Roane State students and employees, a press release said.

The first clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Eastern time, and it will provide the first dose of the Moderna vaccine to participants. Appointments are available for students and college employees by visiting roanestate.edu/vaccine. R numbers will be required to sign up, the press release said. Students and employees from any campus location are eligible.

The clinics will be held in a drive-through format. Participants should follow signs posted on campus, and they can stay inside their vehicles the entire time. A short waiting period after receiving the shot will be required for safety. Vehicles will park in a designated area during this time.

[Read more…]
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ORAU will support COVID-19 communications for CDC Office of Minority Health & Health Equity

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Part of the ORAU campus in central Oak Ridge is pictured above on May 29, 2017. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

ORAU was recently awarded a contract by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) to provide technical communications support to the office and three COVID-19 award recipients.

ORAU will advise the development of awardee health communication plans and materials targeting limited English proficiency audiences, such as Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander populations, as well as help increase the communications capacity of OMHHE to respond to COVID-19 in these and other high-risk communities, a press release said. [Read more…]

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Roane State One Stop resumes in-person student services

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Part of the Oak Ridge branch campus of Roane State Community College is pictured above. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State Community College’s One Stop offices at the Roane County and Oak Ridge campuses have now resumed in-person student services.

Success coaches were returning to all RSCC campuses this week on a mixed schedule, a press release said. When scheduling appointments with success coaches, students will be able to select from in-person and virtual meeting options.

One Stop staff at the Roane County and Oak Ridge campuses moved to virtual operations earlier this year due to COVID-19 protocols. In-person One Stop services remained available at RSCC satellite campuses during this time, the press release said.

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Gov. Lee lifts nursing home restrictions, extends state of emergency

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Bill Lee

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Friday said he has extended a limited state of emergency through April 28 and lifted state visitation restrictions on nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

The governor said he signed executive orders 77, 78, and 79.

“Our state’s COVID-19 numbers continue to improve thanks to efficient vaccine distribution and efforts to protect our most vulnerable citizens,” Lee said in a press release. “I have authorized continuation of a limited state of emergency through April 28 in order to keep critical healthcare deregulation in place and ensure continued federal funding compliance, and to lift state visitation restrictions on nursing home and long-term care facilities. To be very clear, my orders do not include any restriction on business. We will continue to focus on delivering vaccines to every corner of the state, ensuring kids get back in the classroom and building on our strong economic recovery.”

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COVID-19 cases down, deaths up in January

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These charts show the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations reported by month in Anderson County. (Charts by Oak Ridge Today)

The number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations decreased in Anderson County in January, but the number of deaths increased. The death rate, comparing total deaths to total cases, has increased significantly.

The number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Anderson County dropped by more than 900 from December to January. There were 2,524 new cases reported in Anderson County in December, according to data published by the Tennessee Department of Health. That fell to 1,608 new cases in January, a 36 percent drop. Still, that was an average of about 52 new COVID-19 cases per day last month.

December and January have been the worst two months of the pandemic so far, with November the third-worst month.

In the past two months, the number of new hospitalizations decreased by 16 percent, falling from 43 in December to 36 in January, according to the state health department data. That was an average of a little more than one new hospitalization per day in Anderson County.

However, deaths increased by 13 in January, compared to December. There were 43 COVID-19 deaths reported in Anderson County in December. That rose to 56 in January. It was a 30 percent increase. There was an average of 1.8 deaths per day due to COVID-19 in Anderson County in January.

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Roane State temporarily closes Coffey-McNally Building

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Roane-State-Coffey-McNally-Building
The Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State Community College has temporarily closed the Coffey-McNally Building because of a recent increase in self-reported COVID-19 cases on the Oak Ridge Branch Campus.

The closure of the Coffey-McNally Building is a precautionary measure, Roane State said in a press release. The building closure took effect Wednesday evening.

The reported cases appear to be isolated, and all those affected are observing quarantine, Roane State said. The Coffey-McNally Building will be thoroughly cleaned before its planned reopening on Monday, January 25, the college said. The Goff Building will remain open.

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Current status of city facilities due to COVID

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Oak Ridge officials continue to ask residents to conduct municipal business over the phone and by phone when possible because of COVID-19.

On Wednesday, the City of Oak Ridge released an update about city facilities as the world continues to be affected by the pandemic.

The city said it is supporting the Tennessee Pledge of the state government. You can refer to State of Tennessee websites for updates and advice on precautions to be taken by particular businesses, a press release said.

City facilities will continue to be operated as below as precautions and security matters are considered for the safety of employees, and social distancing for customers, the press release said. Visitors may receive a temperature scan and be asked about their current health, the press release said. You can call the city manager’s office or department offices on the city’s website for more information.

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Rep. Fleischmann tests positive for COVID

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Chuck Fleischmann

U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge, has tested positive for COVID-19.

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Mason, an IDB member, community volunteer, dies of COVID complications

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David Mason

David Lane Mason, a member of the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board and community volunteer, died of COVID-19 complications on Monday. He was 79.

Mason was a former deputy director of environmental management and enrichment facilities at the former K-25 site, and he retired from the United States Enrichment Corporation in 2005 as the director of Centrifuge Engineering and Manufacturing Project, according to his obituary.

As a founding member of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association, Mason helped develop and build the rowing course at Melton Hill Lake, his obituary said. As a member of the Sunset Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, he helped establish the annual Da Vinci Arts and Science Fair for elementary and middle school students, the obituary said.

A nuclear physicist and Oak Ridge resident, Mason died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville on Monday. He was a community advocate for more than 50 years, his obituary said.

Here is more information about Dave Mason from his obituary:

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AC Clerk, Trustee’s offices drive-through only temporarily starting Monday

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Public encouraged to use online options

The Oak Ridge offices of the Anderson County Clerk and Trustee will be temporarily closed to in-person transactions starting Monday for construction to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Anderson County Clerk’s and Trustee’s main offices in Clinton and Andersonville are not affected by this temporary closure to the public, a press release said. The
offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

While the Oak Ridge offices will be closed to in-person service, employees will still be available to serve customers at the drive-through location in Oak Ridge, the press release said. It’s located at 728c Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge. It will be open
for renewals only from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, residents can drop off title work and park in a space to wait while the paperwork is processed and returned to them, the press release said. The Trustee’s Office staff will continue to collect property tax payments at the Oak Ridge drive-through and accept calls to make appointments for the tax relief and freeze program, the press release said.

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December: 2,500 COVID cases, 43 deaths, 43 hospitalizations

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Anderson County reported more than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 in December and 43 deaths and 43 hospitalizations.

It was the worst month of the pandemic by far, part of a statewide surge after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The number of deaths reported in December (43) exceeded all previous months combined and was more than triple the number of deaths in November (13). Until December, November had been the worst month of the pandemic.

The overall fatality rate, comparing total deaths to total cases since the pandemic began, rose to roughly 1.3 percent in December.

About 3.3 percent of Anderson County’s roughly 77,000 residents were infected with COVID-19 in December, when 2,524 new cases were reported. Roughly 7.3 percent of the county’s residents have tested positive for COVID since the pandemic began March 20.

About 38 percent of the county’s total 113 hospitalizations since March were reported in December, when 43 hospitalizations were reported.

The number of new cases reported in December accounted for about 45 percent of all COVID-19 cases reported in the county since the pandemic began more than nine months ago.

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Anderson County reported more than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 in December and 43 deaths and 43 hospitalizations.

It was the worst month of the pandemic by far, part of a statewide surge after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The number of deaths reported in December (43) exceeded all previous months combined and was more than triple the number of deaths in November (13). Until December, November had been the worst month of the pandemic.

The overall fatality rate, comparing total deaths to total cases since the pandemic began, rose to roughly 1.3 percent in December.

About 3.3 percent of Anderson County’s roughly 77,000 residents were infected with COVID-19 in December, when 2,524 new cases were reported. Roughly 7.3 percent of the county’s residents have tested positive for COVID since the pandemic began March 20.

About 38 percent of the county’s total 113 hospitalizations since March were reported in December, when 43 hospitalizations were reported.

The number of new cases reported in December accounted for about 45 percent of all COVID-19 cases reported in the county since the pandemic began more than nine months ago.

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Lee limits indoor public gatherings, indoor sports attendance

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an order last week that limits indoor public gatherings, with some exceptions, to fewer than 10 people. The governor also limited attendance at indoor sporting events in coordination with the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association. And he asked business owners to let employees work from home for the next 30 days.

Many people wondered if the governor would issue a mask mandate. He did not.

Lee asked people to focus on two actions in the next 30 days: only gather with people in your home, and wear a mask.

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Oak Ridge, TN 37831

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an order last week that limits indoor public gatherings, with some exceptions, to fewer than 10 people. The governor also limited attendance at indoor sporting events in coordination with the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association. And he asked business owners to let employees work from home for the next 30 days.

Many people wondered if the governor would issue a mask mandate. He did not.

Lee asked people to focus on two actions in the next 30 days: only gather with people in your home, and wear a mask.

The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.

Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here:

Basic

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Temporary

If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

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We also accept donations. You can donate here. A donation of $50 or more will make you eligible for a subscription.

Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support!

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