NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) – The number of deaths from COVID-19 in Campbell County jumped dramatically on Thursday with additional deaths coming over the Christmas weekend. The total of 98 deaths on Wednesday spiked to 121 on Thursday and stand at 126 after Monday’s report. The quick climb results from a Tennessee Department of Health review of coronavirus data that found more than 2,500 additional COVID-related deaths that occurred in Tennessee since the beginning of the pandemic.

Last week, Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Health Commissioner, explained that about 70% of the newly recorded deaths happened since August. They happened during a fall spike related to the delta variant of COVID-19 according to Piercey.

Piercey points to the typical lag in data as the primary reason these deaths are just now being reported. She calls eight weeks pretty typical, and adds that it’s not unusual at all to have 10 to 12 weeks of delay after death before reporting. The doctor emphasizes that the newly recorded deaths are not related to an ongoing spike of the new, highly transmissible omicron variant.

It’s worth noting that standards for death reporting will change in January. “Our main priority is that the data is accurate,” said Piercey.

NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) – Here is the latest COVID-19 information for Campbell County as of Monday afternoon from the State of Tennessee Department of Health.

7,891 Total cases

161 Active cases

126 Deaths

7,604 Inactive/Recovered

CLICK here to see the COVID-19 statewide dashboard.  (12/28/2021-6AM)

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