MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Researchers at Vanderbilt University say COVID-19 is quickly rising in rural and smaller cities in Tennessee. More than half the new cases are occurring outside the states largest metropolitan areas of Nashville and Memphis according to a new report.
McPheeters said their most recent analysis shows a growing trend. COVID-19 cases spiking across the state. McPheeters says smaller cities like Jackson, Clarksville, Chattanooga, the tri-cities are seeing a surge, "We are concerned that the health systems in those smaller communities will potentially be overwhelmed."
"Initially our rural communities were somewhat protected because the virus hadn't moved there yet," said McPheeters.
So whats causing the rise in smaller cities and rural areas?
"Viruses don't stop at city borders, they keep moving and people move around," said McPheeters, "I think we are a mobile society. We move around. I don't think there was any possibility that the virus would just contain itself to certain parts of the state."
One bit of hope for our area, their analysis shows COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Memphis Delta began stabilizing mid July.
"That is a leveling off. It is not a significant reduction like we want see, our hope would be that leveling off is followed by a decline.
McPheeters says we will have to wait and see if that happens. She added that wearing masks is key to reducing the spread of the virus.