The state of Tennessee recently reported a nearly 50% rise in COVID-19 cases during a 7-day span.
The Tennessee Department of Health reported 13,054 new cases last week, which was an increase of 4,350 from the 8,704 new cases reported the previous week, FOX 17 News reports.
The spike in numbers comes after several Tennessee counties -- including some surrounding Davidson County/Metro Nashville -- have allowed mask mandate orders to expire and school districts returned to in-person classes.
Maps provided by the Tennessee Department of Health show the virus hit its peak in the summer months before a decreasing trend in August and early September, FOX 17 News reports.
However, the data shows a rise in cases in late September and October, with several 7-day averages of up to 2,000 newly reported cases.
Tennessee was reportedly back in the "red zone" list for coronavirus cases and ranked 14th among U.S. states for new cases per 100,000 in an October 4 report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, which was obtained by the Center for Public Integrity, FOX 17 News reports.
White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx has expressed concern that a second wave of COVID-19 is possible with several states in different areas reporting a significant increase in cases, FOX 17 News reports.
Governor Bill Lee confirmed last week that he doesn't intent to shut down the state's economy once again, despite the ongoing pandemic.
On Monday, the Tennessee Department of Health reported 217,682 total cases of COVID-19, which includes 2,965 new cases in a 24-hour span and 22,846 active cases in the Volunteer State.
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