The flu (or Influenza-Like Illness -ILI) is making a big comeback and local residents in Murfreesboro, Smyrna and surrounding cities are feeling the impact. With more on this story, here is WGNS’ Ron Jordan…

As for COVID-19, there have been a total of 70,719 positive COVID cases since the start of the pandemic in Rutherford County. Our community (Rutherford Co.) has also recorded a total of 1,515 hospitalizations and 735 deaths, due to COVID-19. The inactive or recovered cases of COVID-19 stands at 65,269 persons, as of Tuesday night, January 4, 2021.

The most current information from the Tennessee Department of Health shows that there has been a major spike in hospitalizations tied to COVID cases. Across the Volunteer State, there were 2,116 patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Of that number, 510 are being held in ICU’s at 114 different medical facilities throughout Tennessee and 267 patients are on ventilators, as of Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Scroll down to read what was reported in the above audio soundbyte (on the WGNSradio.com website)...

---

 

 

Continued (script for soundbyte in this news story)

VERBATIM of Above Audio Soundbyte: "As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Rutherford County, we're also dealing with a rise in flu cases.  The CDC has listed Tennessee in the "high" category for flu activity.  There's also an increase in flu hospitalizations.  Dr. William Schaffner with Vanderbilt University Medical Center says Middle Tennessee is seeing a big hit of the flu and it won't likely peak until February.  He's continuing to urge people to get the flu shot, adding that it is safe to do so at the same time you get the COVID-19 vaccine. I'm Ron Jordan reporting."

 

 

Listen to WGNS Radio anywhere and online, simply click the below logo