Oak Ridge Today

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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Bill Lee

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee last week signed an order limiting 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 during a statewide address on Sunday. He did not.

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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More than 700 school-aged children have had COVID in AC

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More than 700 school-aged children have tested positive for COVID-19 in Anderson County since the pandemic began March 20, and the growth in cases among children 5-18 years old is accelerating, according to state data.

It’s not clear what long-term effects, if any, COVID-19 might have on children.

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This chart by Oak Ridge Today shows COVID-19 cases among children 5-18 years old in Anderson County by month starting in August. Note: December is a partial month.

More than 700 school-aged children have tested positive for COVID-19 in Anderson County since the pandemic began March 20, and the growth in cases among children 5-18 years old is accelerating, according to state data.

It’s not clear what long-term effects COVID-19 might have on children. Anecdotally, in social media posts, some parents have discussed a continued loss of taste and smell among their children.

More than 700 school-aged children have tested positive for COVID-19 in Anderson County since the pandemic began March 20, and the growth in cases among children 5-18 years old is accelerating, according to state data.

It’s not clear what long-term effects, if any, COVID-19 might have on children.

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In two weeks, AC reports 1,500 COVID cases, 17 deaths, 22 hospitalizations

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In the past two weeks, Anderson County has reported more than 1,500 new cases of COVID-19, according to state data. The county has also reported 17 deaths and 22 hospitalizations in those 14 days.

About 2 percent of the county’s roughly 77,000 residents tested positive for COVID-19 in those two weeks, and almost 7 percent of the population has been infected since the pandemic began March 20.

The positivity rate in the county is very high, almost 20 percent.

There have been more new cases, deaths, and hospitalizations in the past two weeks than in any previous month, including November, which, until recently, had been the worst month of the pandemic.

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These charts by Oak Ridge Today show new COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations by month in Anderson County since the pandemic began March 20, 2020. Note: December is a partial month.

In the past two weeks, Anderson County has reported more than 1,500 new cases of COVID-19, according to state data. The county has also reported 17 deaths and 22 hospitalizations in those 14 days.

About 2 percent of the county’s roughly 77,000 residents tested positive for COVID-19 in those two weeks, and almost 7 percent of the population has been infected since the pandemic began March 20.

In the past two weeks, Anderson County has reported more than 1,500 new cases of COVID-19, according to state data. The county has also reported 17 deaths and 22 hospitalizations in those 14 days.

About 2 percent of the county’s roughly 77,000 residents tested positive for COVID-19 in those two weeks, and almost 7 percent of the population has been infected since the pandemic began March 20.

The positivity rate in the county is very high, almost 20 percent.

There have been more new cases, deaths, and hospitalizations in the past two weeks than in any previous month, including November, which, until recently, had been the worst month of the pandemic.

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

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‘Great Conjunction’ of Jupiter, Saturn in night sky this evening

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Jupiter and Saturn will appear to come together in the night sky this evening, as the two bright planets closely align and Jupiter overtakes Saturn, from our vantage point, in its orbit around the Sun.

It’s an astronomical event known as the “Great Conjunction.” It’s also popularly known as the “Christmas Star,” according to NASA.

Tonight (Monday, December 21) will be the culmination of the planetary conjunction.

[Read more…]

Governor to address Tennessee after statewide COVID-19 surge

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Bill Lee

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will deliver a statewide address to Tennesseans about the COVID-19 surge on Sunday, December 20, at 7 p.m. Central time.

Lee’s remarks will be broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.

Roane State will operate remotely for week after winter break

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Roane State Community College Technology Building
Roane State Community College in Harriman is pictured above. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State will temporarily move to remote operations after winter break as part of the college’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Between January 4 and 8, RSCC campuses will be accessible only to essential personnel, a press release said. During this time, students and employees will still be served by email and phone as well as through virtual communication tools such as Zoom video conferencing.

“We have advised students, faculty, and staff to consider the latest CDC recommendations when making holiday plans this year,” Roane State President Chris Whaley explained. “This brief remote work period is an additional step we can take to keep our campus community healthy while still assisting students ahead of the spring semester.”

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Covenant Health receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine

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Covenant Health, which includes Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, received its first shipment of the first approved COVID-19 vaccine in the United States on Thursday.

It’s the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. That’s a new type of vaccine, a messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an emergency use authorization for the vaccine on Friday for patients 16 years old and older.

The first round of the vaccine will be offered to Covenant Health employees working in environments that are considered high risk or high exposure to COVID-19.

Receiving the vaccine is voluntary for staff, Covenant Health said in an announcement Thursday. The vaccine will be administered on a planned schedule at all Covenant Health acute care facilities. The vaccine will also be available for home health employees and employees who work in long-term care facilities, the announcement said.

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Solomon named Oak Ridge fire chief

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Travis Solomon (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge has named Travis Solomon as its new fire chief.

Solomon, who previously served as Oak Ridge Fire Department fire marshal, has served as interim fire chief since former Chief Darryl Kerley’s departure in August. Solomon begins serving as fire chief immediately, a press release said.

“Oak Ridge has always been the model and leading fire service,” Solomon said in the press release. “I want to continue that and enhance the services we provide to better our ability to serve the public.”

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December now the worst month for COVID-19

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

With two weeks remaining, December has become the worst month for COVID-19 in Anderson County.

The number of new cases, deaths, and hospitalizations this month have all passed November’s totals. Until now, November had been the worst month.

In the first 16 days of December, 1,354 new cases of COVID-19, 14 deaths, and 22 hospitalizations were reported in Anderson County, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Those are all higher than the 1,239 cases, 13 deaths, and 21 hospitalizations reported in the 30 days of November.

[Read more…]

AC Schools switches to online learning, cancels extracurricular activities

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Anderson County is switching to online teaching starting Tuesday and canceling extracurricular activities because of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and quarantines, among other considerations.

The changes could be in effect through January 5.

Here is what the school system posted online:

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With exceptions, Anderson County courts suspend in-person cases until January

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Anderson County courts announced on Monday that they will suspend in-person appearances and cases, with certain exceptions, starting Wednesday and continuing until early January.

The suspension of those in-person appearances and cases due to COVID-19 was announced by county judges, the district attorney general, district public defender, and child support magistrate.

The exceptions to the suspension of in-person hearings include “important emergency hearing exceptions or constitutionally-mandated processes such as the setting of bail and arraignment of those in custody,” according to a press release from the judicial officials. The courts will remain open for any constitutionally required function, and exceptions to the suspension of in-person business could include matters that are urgent or involve important rights such as personal liberty, the press release said. 

The other in-person appearances and cases will be suspended after the close of business Wednesday, December 9, through January 4, 2021.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber’s ‘Reverse’ Christmas Parade on Saturday

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Santa will be on hand at this year’s Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s “reverse” parade to be held Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade will be held this year, but with a twist. This year’s offering will be a “reverse” parade, a press release said.

The event will be held on Saturday, December 12, from 6-8 p.m. The theme of this year’s “reverse” parade is “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” More than 40 individuals and organizations have signed up to display along the parade route, the press release said. [Read more…]