At today’s Knox County Health Department Covid-19 briefing, the Chief Medical Official from UT Medical joined to answer questions.

Dr. Keith Gray joined KCHD Director Martha Buchanan and addressed many issues within the county and across the state. Gray gave insight into the positivity rate of Covid-19 tests across the state.

“From the total test performed in Tennessee, the positive rate is 5.6%,” said Gray. “The death rate remains stable statewide at 1.6%. We’ve had a slow uptick in the number of hospitalizations, specifically patients in the ICU statewide, but a stable number of ventilated patients.”

Gray also dove into the local numbers for Knox County.

“We have a total number of 2.1% positive tests out of the total number of tests that have been done” explained Gray. “Our death rate remains stable and reflects that of the state at 1.7%.”

Gray also emphasized that hospitals are safe and clean. He urged anyone who feels as if they need treatment to not delay out of Covid-19 fears.