COVID-19 Update for Cumberland County for 3-21-2020

By Cumberland Co. Mayor Allen Foster

As of this writing, I have been notified by the TN Department of Health (TDH) that two residents of Cumberland County have tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. The patients have been placed in quarantine and are recovering at home. Contact tracing is standard in these cases. That is all the information that has been released at this time.

File photo by Jim Young

Your local officials have been preparing for this virus for weeks.  We are coordinating with the TDH and the healthcare community to make sure all Cumberland County residents are protected.

We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will adapt our response as appropriate.  Over the next several weeks we might all suffer some inconveniences.  We may have to use drive-through services, the internet, the phone, and mail to conduct business.  For example, my church has started having services online.  There may be other temporary closures of businesses in the community, but this will end, and we will be stronger as a community.

Now is a time for all of us to work together.  It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus have a mild course of illness and recover quickly.  As I mentioned in my first article on this subject, these steps are about protecting the most vulnerable among us.

I recently detailed the steps that Cumberland County government offices have taken to protect the public and our employees.  Call before you go to a county government office.  Most business can be conducted without making an unnecessary trip.  Phone numbers can be found at the county website at www.cumberlandcountytn.gov. 

You can help too.  It is important that you call before visiting your doctor, the Emergency Department, or the Health Department. CALL FIRST.  They will tell you if you need to be tested, and where to go to get tested.  The Health Department is conducting drive up testing Monday – Friday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.  Call first so you don’t make an unnecessary trip.

Although the County Mayor does not have the authority to enforce state or federal guidelines or to create local restrictions, I urge everyone to practice social distancing and to avoid congregating in groups of over 10 people.  It is important for you to follow all guidelines issued by the State and Federal governments, including the President’s 15 Days to Slow the Spread.  As the situation continues to evolve, it is important to keep up with and follow the recommendations from the Tennessee Department of Health and the CDC.

Keep your hands clean.  If you are feeling bad, stay at home.  Keep an eye on our elders.  They need to be staying at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe. People over the age of 65 and those with prior illness are at greatest risk so we need to come together and support them.

We are working closely with the TDH and all agencies of government at all levels to minimize the impact on the residents of Cumberland County.  That has been and continues to be, our primary concern.  We will get through this together.

Individuals with specific questions can call the TDH Information line at 877-857-2945 or 931-646-7586.  You can also contact the Cumberland County Health Department at 931-484-6196.