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.
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.
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:
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.
The Oak Ridge City Council will meet electronically on Monday, rather than in-person, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Monday.
Council members will be able to participate by video and audio conferencing. It will be streamed online on the city’s website and broadcast on Comcast Channel 12.
The city asked residents to watch the meeting online or on television because of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s executive orders that limit public gatherings to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
“Meeting electronically and limiting in-person access to the meeting is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare in light of COVID-19,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.
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.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.
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These charts show the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations by month in Anderson County since March 2020. (Charts by Oak Ridge Today)
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.
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.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.
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.
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
We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.
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!
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.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.
A proposal to temporarily close Anderson County Courthouse offices to the public because of COVID-19 and to have much business conducted remotely was referred to a committee last week.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.
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
We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.
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!
A proposal to temporarily close Anderson County Courthouse offices to the public because of COVID-19 and to have much business conducted remotely was referred to a committee last week.
The Anderson County Commission considered the motion on Monday, December 21. The proposal to switch to remote work for courthouse offices was made by Commissioner Theresa Scott and seconded by Commissioner Catherine Denenberg of districts six and seven in Oak Ridge.
A proposal to temporarily close Anderson County Courthouse offices to the public because of COVID-19 and to have much business conducted remotely was referred to a committee last week.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.
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.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: an advertiser or subscriber to Oak Ridge Today.
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
We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.
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!
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.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: an advertiser or subscriber to Oak Ridge Today.
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.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: an advertiser or subscriber to Oak Ridge Today.
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
We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.
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!
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.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: an advertiser or subscriber to Oak Ridge Today.
