Tennessee 4th in nation in COVID-19 death rate, unvaccinated 99% of new cases per data
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Tennessee currently ranks 4th in the nation for new deaths due to COVID-19 according to the latest data compiled by federal agencies.
The State Profile Report for Tennessee is comprised of data from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, White House COVID-19 Task Force, and other health agencies. According to the report ending for the week of December 10, Tennessee ranks 4th in the nation for new deaths with a rate of 5.9 per 100,000 persons.
The rate is a 26% increase compared to the previous week's report. Only Wyoming, Arizona, and West Virginia have higher death rates. The rate is also well above the 2.3 per 100,000 reported nationally.
Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey has previously stated some of the death rate spikes seen in the past are a result of a "data dump" which can accumulate since the state only reports confirmed cases of COVID-19 which can create a lag between when the individual died and when it is finally reported.
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The stated has fared well in other data points, ranking 20th in the nation for the lowest rate of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 and 11th best in new hospitalizations per 100 beds.
New cases appear to be primarily among the unvaccinated according to the Tennessee Department of Health. The 7 day rolling case rate per 100,000 residents by vaccination status for the week ending December 16 shows a rate of 35 per 100,000 among the unvaccinated compared to 8 per 100,000 among the vaccinated. 99% of new cases for December 16 were among the unvaccinated per the data.
The totals come as the more transmissible Omicron variant has been detected in multiple parts of Tennessee, prompting health leaders to urge caution when planning to attend holiday gatherings and urging the uptake of vaccination for those who have yet to receive at least one dose. Boosters have also been urged for the vaccinated, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines showing they are effective against preventing severe COVID from the Omicron and other variants.
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