Doctor Says Tennessee Is 'Worst In The World' For COVID-19 Transmission

Tennessee is reportedly the most infectious place in the world in relation to COVID-19.

Dr. Steve Threlkeld, an infectious disease specialist with Baptist Hospital in Memphis, confirmed Tennessee ranks No. 1 in terms of coronavirus transmission.

“Tennessee, as we speak, is the number one hot spot for transmission for the coronavirus in the entire world,” said Dr. Threlkeld via WREG. “We’re not just high. We are the number one place in the world right now, in Tennessee, for coronavirus transmission. This is not a drill. We are the worst in the world.”

The Tennessee Department of Health reported 484,285 total cases of COVID-19, which included 11,410 new cases in a 24-hour span and 72,442 active cases, on Wednesday (December 16.) The state health department also confirmed a total of 5,668 deaths in relation to the coronavirus, including 53 new deaths in a 24-hour span, as well as 2,874 total hospitalizations, including 68 in a 24-hour span.

The department also reported available ICU beds are below 170 for the entire state. The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine reportedly arrived in Davidson and Shelby counties, the two counties with the highest reported cases, on Thursday.

Medical front-line workers will be the first to have access to the vaccine, which will be released in phases before being accessible to the general public.

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