Lee warns lawmakers of ‘surge’ in coronavirus hospitalizations

Gov. Bill Lee is warning state lawmakers  a “surge” in coronavirus infections could overwhelm the state’s healthcare system in the next two to four weeks.

Lee made his comments in a conference call with lawmakers on Wednesday. The Daily Memphian reports that Lee’s “unified command” is basing its efforts to respond to the crisis on modeling of the outbreak.

BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Bill Lee expects COVID-19 surge that could overwhelm Tenn. hospitals. https://t.co/g6cGocPHwP pic.twitter.com/gNfTP3Jl57

— The Daily Memphian (@dailymemphian) April 1, 2020

“We know based on modeling we’re looking at that we will have a bed shortage, both with hospital beds as well as ICU beds. We’re taking that very seriously,” Stuart McWhorter, the head of the governor’s task force on COVID-19 said during the call. “We’re looking at the best data we have right now to try to look at what Tennessee will look like over the next two to four weeks and taking it very seriously.”

Yesterday, state officials offered assurances about the state's preparedness for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Today there's this: State eyeing convention centers, hotels to meet demand for beds, Lee administration says in stark coronarivus assessment https://t.co/9IIPzOtMhf

— Joel Ebert (@joelebert29) April 1, 2020