One month ago, Warren County had 21 reported deaths from COVID-19. That number now stands at a grim 46 deaths, according to figures from the Tennessee Department of Health on Tuesday.
That’s a 119% increase in one month.
In an effort to slow the virus spread, Warren County Health Department held a vaccination clinic on Saturday open to anyone age 75 or older. There were 279 vaccines administered on Saturday, according to Health Department director Andrea Fox.
On Tuesday, the Health Department received an additional vaccine shipment around 11:30 a.m. Health Department representative Barbara Roller said 200 people to receive the vaccines by 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Saturday’s line of cars for the vaccination clinic stretched down Sparta Street onto the bypass and extended to Red Road at its peak. A number of people had to be turned away when all the available doses were given.
“There were about six cars ahead of me when they ran out,” said local resident Sam Martin. “I got in line at 7:45 a.m. all the way back at Red Road. It took me two and a half hours to get up there to the Health Department. I was told at 10:20 a.m. they had run out.”
Martin said after he was turned away he drove back to look at the line and said it was still stretching to the railroad tracks on the bypass. He estimates around 75 cars were in line at that time, some with several people in the vehicle.
Martin was one of the people who was vaccinated at the Health Department on Tuesday afternoon.
Demand for the vaccinations has been intense throughout the state. The Knox County Health Department was taking appointments for 225 vaccinations it will be giving Thursday and Friday. Knox County health officials report every appointment was taken in two hours.