Transmission of COVID-19 across Tennessee has accelerated in the past several weeks, and the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has correspondingly increased.

Due to both testing result delays and the normal course of the viral illness, many cases being reported over the past week reflect infections that occurred as many as 2–3 weeks ago.

The Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville reports, "Hospitalizations have increased across Tennessee, with particularly steep percentage increases in Northeast Tennessee and Upper Cumberland, although overall numbers of hospitalized COVID-19 patients remain highest in the largest metro areas of Middle Tennessee and the Memphis Delta."

As people leave their homes today when compared to last month, the coronavirus is expected to continue spreading with more cass being reported.

On July 8, there were an estimated 808 hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients statewide, an increase of 173 over 7 days.