EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was last updated on Sept. 18.

The Hamilton County Health Department reported 70 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total number of people diagnosed with the disease since the beginning of the pandemic to 9,119. Two new deaths were reported. Ninety-one people have now died from COVID-19 in Hamilton County. 

Click on the link below for statewide statistics:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/tennessee-coronavirus-cases.html

On Friday the number of active cases across the county stood at 1,285. The health department reported that 7,743 people in the county have now recovered from COVID-19.

The health department reported a total of 61 people hospitalized suffering from the virus, or persons under investigation. Fifteen people are now in intensive care. 

Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger announced in a Sept. 3 press conference that wearing masks will be mandatory through October 8. The mandatory order, officials said, came as a result of an increase in cases and hospitalizations.

Defying the mask mandate is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a $50 fine or up to 30 days in jail. Sheriff Jim Hammond released a statement saying that it was not his goal for his deputies to actively seek violators. He would leave enforcement to the discretion of his deputies.

Free face coverings will be available for pick-up at the health department’s E. 3rd Street offices. Tubs of face coverings are located at both circle entrances, officials said.

For the official Executive Order click on the link below: http://health.hamiltontn.org/AllServices/Coronavirus(COVID-19)/Orders.aspx

The “hot spot” map showed East Ridge with a total of 625 cases, trailing East Brainerd (1,345), Hixson (740), East Lake (725), and Ooltewah (674) in the number of total cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Click on the link below for complete health department case data as of Sept. 18: http://health.hamiltontn.org/AllServices/Coronavirus(COVID-19).aspx