There are over 13-thousand new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over one-million-412-thousand. An additional 75 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at nearly 21-thousand. There are nearly 15-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol wants to ensure a safe New Year across the state. THP says starting this evening State Troopers will go on traffic patrol, including doing seat belts, driver’s license,s and sobriety checks. The plan will end on Sunday at midnight. THP says nine people were killed in eight traffic crashes during the holiday last year and over 100 people were arrested for drunk driving.
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is expecting a surge of donations ahead of the end of the year. Charities typically see an increase in donations at this time each year as taxpayers try to get their final deductions. Goodwill says between December 26th to the 31st it typically sees a 50-percent increase in donations. The organization says it’s shifting employees to its busiest sites to deal with the surge..
Tennessee has received shipments of two antiviral COVID-19 treatments. The state department of health reports that Walmart pharmacies got the two oral drugs, developed by Merck and Pfizer. A limited supply of 6,000 arrived in the state, with more expected. The treatments were approved by the FDA and are expected to help treat the severity of coronavirus.
