t first glance, it looks like things are improving on the COVID-19 front in Bedford County with the number of new cases down by 27 percent in the last week from the seven days prior. In Bedford County from Jan. 11 to Jan. 17, the state health department reports there were 236 new cases. In the week prior, there were 323 new cases in Bedford County.

But, after a second look, you have to temper your optimism some because the number of tests conducted in the most recent seven days (Jan. 11 through Jan. 17) is also down by 13.7 percent. (Fewer tests, fewer positive results.) In Bedford County, from Jan. 11 through Jan. 17, there were 869 tests for the coronavirus. In the seven days prior there were 1,007 tests.

The positivity rate (the percent of positives) paints a more accurate picture. Of tests conducted in the seven days from Jan. 11 through Jan. 17, the positivity rate was 27.15 percent. The positivity rate during the previous seven days was 32 percent.

Neither rate is low enough to provide with any certainty how widespread the virus is. The CDC and other public health agencies say to determine how widespread the coronavirus is the positivity rate should at maximum be 5 percent.

The county's number of daily active cases is also down a little in the last 14 days, from 528 average cases daily in the seven days from Jan. 4 through Jan. 10 to 515 per day from Jan. 11 through Jan. 17.

In the first 17 days of 2021, 80 Bedford County school age children (ages 5-18) have tested positive for COVID-19, 28 of those since Thursday.

On Jan. 15 the state health department reported that five residents of Celebration Way nursing home had contracted COVID-19. Celebration Way had a total of 22 residents.

On Jan. 15 the state health department reported that Glen Oaks Health and Rehabilitation had had 71 cases among its residents, 12 deaths and 48 staff members that tested positive for COVID-19.

In a previous report (Jan. 13) The Waters of Shelbyville had 67 of its 80 residents test positive for the coronavirus, six died and 24 staff members tested positive.

State

Statewide there's also a sign that any after-holiday surge may be starting to decline. In the most recent seven days (Jan. 11-17) the state reported testing revealed 31,452 new cases, down from 45,572 during the seven days prior. Again, however, that drop must be considered with the 14.6 percent drop in testing - from 200,943 (Jan. 4-10) to 171,567 (Jan. 11-17).

Deaths attributed to COVID-19 also dropped in the last 14 days. In the most recent week (Jan. 11-Jan. 17) 606 died. In week prior, the deaths of 760 Tennesseans were attributed to COVID-19.

Hospitalizations, however, were up over the last 14 days. In the most recent seven days, 711 Tennesseans were hospitalized with COVID-19. In the seven days prior, 659 Tennesseans were hospitalized due to the coronavirus.

Vaccine to the rescue?

As of Jan. 14, Tennessee had injected 330,775 doses of the two-shot vaccines. The state has received 656,550 doses. In 28 days, (Dec. 16 to Jan. 14) the state had vaccinated 4.4 percent of the population of Tennessee.

If the vaccination rate does not improve, it will take a year and a half to vaccinate 100 percent of the 6.8 million residents of Tennessee.

Bedford County reports that it has a "limited supply" of the vaccine. Bedford County is in the first two phases of the vaccination program: Anyone over age 75, Healthcare workers, residents and staff of long term healthcare facilities (nursing homes), first responders (firefighters, police and ambulance workers), funeral home and mortuary workers, and those age 18 and over who are not able to live independently due to health care conditions or those developmentally or intellectually disabled.

People who are in a phase currently being vaccinated in their county can register online at https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-phases/ for an appointment time to receive a vaccination through their county health department. Click your county on the map and then click "Make an Appointment" to register. Those who register will be asked to enter their name and contact information to be notified of their appointment date, time and location as soon as vaccine becomes available.

For more information contact the Bedford County Health Department at 931-490-8312.