258 New COVID Cases In Putnam, 2 Deaths Reported

Putnam County has reported 258 new COVID cases this week, but the county’s positivity rate remains lower than most other Upper Cumberland communities.

According to data from the State Department of Health, the county reported 50 new cases Thursday. The positivity rate, or the percentage of new tests that register a COVID-positive result, stands at 10 percent. Cookeville Regional Medical Center reports 53 patients being treated for COVID Thursday.

Two Putnam County residents being treated have died in the last 24 hours, according to CRMC Public Relations Director Melahn Finley. That brings the total to 66 deaths during the pandemic.

Van Buren County recorded the highest positivity rate Thursday at 36 percent followed by Warren County at 27 percent and Cumberland County at 25 percent.

Overton County’s positivity rate has reached single digits in back-to-back days Wednesday and Thursday.

Inaccuracies in the data this week have been reported as the state made another change to its software, according to officials.