JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Of the 62 novel coronavirus patients in Ballad Health ICUs throughout the region, 59 are not vaccinated, data showed Wednesday.
The health system released its weekly update regarding COVID-19 hospitalizations throughout its 21-county service area in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Data again revealed a stark contrast among hospitalized patients and their vaccination status — a trend that has been evident for weeks.
There are 254 patients total in Ballad facilities battling COVID-19; of these hospitalizations, 91% remain unprotected against the virus.
The gap closes even more among COVID-19 patients depending on ventilators to breathe. Ninety-five percent of those on ventilators are not vaccinated.
Ballad’s data show a decrease of patient numbers in the ICU, but it is not revealed which of these are discharges or deaths.
One child is receiving treatment for COVID-19 at Niswonger Children’s Hospital, the health system revealed on Wednesday.
The following is a breakdown of COVID-19 data provided by Ballad Health on Dec. 29:
- Total COVID-19 hospitalizations: 254 (+4)
- Total number of COVID-19 PUIs (patient under investigation): 9 (-1)
- Total COVID-19 admissions: 29 (-10)
- Total COVID-19 discharges: 25 (+4)
- COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit: 66 (-8)
- COVID-19 patients on a ventilator: 62 (+1)
- Pediatric patients in Niswonger Children’s Hospital: 1 (+1)
- Percent of population fully vaccinated: 47.7% (+ 0.7)
The region’s positivity rate stands at 16.1% on Wednesday, a slight increase from the positive rate previously reported on Tuesday.
Ballad Health reported Wednesday that there have been 71 COVID-19 deaths in its 21-county service area over the last seven days.
