KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County Health Department officials said Thursday they're seeing encouraging signs from patient data as they try to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Charity Menefee, director of communicable and environmental disease and emergency preparedness, said the fact that nearly half of the 85 reported cases of the virus so far have now recovered is good news.
"I am very encouraged to hear that nearly half of our cases have recovered," Menefee said during the daily lunchtime briefing for media. "I think that's a very good thing for us. The data supports -- we've been talking about this for a long time -- that 80 percent of individuals have mild to moderate infections, and I think we're seeing that here, and that's important that people remember that."
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The county announced Thursday there were 85 confirmed cases in Knox County, up from 77, with 42 people who have recovered. There's been one death and 13 hospitalizations.
Menefee also said new results are back from mass testing of patients and staff of an unnamed assisted living facility that saw a "small cluster" of COVID-19 cases.
All remaining tests from the facility have come back "negative", she said, with the exception of another staff member who has tested positive.
On Wednesday, KCHD said three residents and a staff member had tested positive and they were awaiting additional results.
"All precautions have been taken and that person has not been in the facility," Menefee said.
Also, one of the three residents listed as "positive" is now considered to be "inconclusive."
"They're getting another test run," she said.
KCHD has declined to name the center or those who have tested positive.
Menefee said local authorities are tracking data just as the state is. While there have been some predictions that the state might see its peak by mid April she was reluctant to commit to that.
"We don’t have a crystal ball to know whose model is going to be correct. What we do know is social distancing works," Menefee said.
As health officials have all week, she declined to discuss her knowledge about specific equipment totals such as ventilators, beds and protective masks. The state has that information and holds it closely, she said.
Boosting coronavirus testing is a good thing, Menefee said, and she reminded people that if they qualify they can get testing at a new drive-through site that'll operate Friday and Saturday in conjunction with Kroger in the parking lot of Zoo Knoxville.
You can get more information about that here.
As for the department staff, Menefee said they're working a lot but holding up.
"We’re tired, we’re working a lot, we're working seven days a week, we're dealing with very difficult decisions that we're making and talking to people through very difficult circumstances every day," she said. "But we’re also very confident and comfortable in our response in that we know what we’re doing and recommending is the right thing and that's what's helpful to us during this time."