Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said yesterday afternoon there would be no new COVID-19 vaccination or mask mandates in the future.

“We learned in the last one the government does not need to tell people how to live their lives with regard to their personal health,” Lee said. “Those are decisions they need to make. That’s the way it will be going forward.”

State health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases in Tennessee is rising.

New COVID-19 vaccines targeting the new strains will be available this week.

The number of cases is also rising across the state. Health officials added the number of hospitalizations rose 9 percent this week.