This interview was recorded Wednesday, Sept. 29, at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex.
==
Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney shares good news on the COVID-19 front during this week's County Report. He follows that up with Henderson County becoming a sponsor of the Cain Center.
I. COVID-19 Update (1:06)
COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have come down significantly. Since Sept. 5, hospitalizations in Henderson County's region (TSA-G) have come down 25 percent.
As of the time of this podcast, DSHS reported 601 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in TSA-G.
"We are looking on the backside of this wave," Judge McKinney said. "We're feeling good."
The numbers here locally have also come down substantially.
"When you have that type of decrease in hospitalizations the relief that our medical community is beginning to feel, there's some hope there for them," Judge McKinney said.
This "third wave" of COVID-19 has been the most severe and was connected to the Delta variant.
Health officials continue to say that vaccinations are the best defense against severe illness from COVID-19 and Henderson County has maintained about 1,000 vaccinations a week throughout the third wave.
II. Cain Center (11:30)
Henderson County is sponsoring a room at the Cain Center, which will give the county additional space for judicial hearings.
"There has always been a need for additional judicial space, at least in my terms," said County Judge Wade McKinney. "We were excited for the Cain Center to come back and provide us with that space."
Judge McKinney said the County has a good relationship with the City of Athens.
"It has been a great partnership to help with each other's needs," he said.
