Some hospital systems in the state are urging caution as the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized more than doubled in the past month. Covenant Health including Cumberland Medical Center and Roane Medical Center, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and U.T. Medical Center said a further surge in patients could affect care and elective procedures going forward. Back in March, hospitals stopped elective surgeries out of precaution and to evaluate the potential for a coronavirus surge. It resumed in May.
