TN ranks 2nd worst in U.S. for new COVID-19 cases and some Dems blame governor's response Only Oklahoma ranks worse than Tennessee in average daily COVID-19 cases for the past week when adjusted for population, the CDC said Tuesday. Author: Cole Sullivan Updated: 9:22 PM EST December 15, 2020 As Tennessee grapples with its highest number of new coronavirus cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began, a group of Knox County Democrats blamed Governor Bill Lee's "lack of leadership" for the virus spread Tuesday. In a press conference held on Zoom, state representatives and county commissioners said Lee was "in over his head" and blamed increasing cases on his response to the virus.