DeKalb Health Department May Get Help from National Guard

March 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Don’t be alarmed if you see the Tennessee National Guard at the DeKalb County Health Department this week.

The reason for the visit is to assist the local health department staff in expediting services including testing due to COVID-19.

“The DeKalb Health Department has put in a request along with several other rural county health departments to get some assistance from the state and the Tennessee National Guard. They are looking at sending a couple of medics to each of the rural health departments needing assistance so they can increase their testing times. They are working out the logistics of that right now so hopefully we will have some additional personnel to help increase testing times,” said DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker.

However Parker stressed that the request for extra help came before it was known that DeKalb County has a confirmed case of the Coronavirus.

“This request was made last week trying to ramp up more personnel. The Tennessee National Guard has medical personnel and they are trying to distribute them around to several of the local counties,” Parker continued.

Keep on mind that not everybody who wants a test will get one.

“There is a screening process. They first recommend that you first go to your primary physician and you will undergo a screening to determine if you meet the criteria. They do swabs and then send them off to a state or private lab for testing but they are not going to test everyone who comes through the door,” added Parker.

Meanwhile the Upper Cumberland Regional Health Office has created an information line for local residents and healthcare providers to call with questions or concerns related to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.

The information line is 931-646-7586 and is designed to provide callers with trusted information related to COVID-19. Residents with medical questions will be referred to their health care provider.

The information line will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The Tennessee Department of Health has additional information available at http://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html. The CDC has updated information and guidance available online at http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/index.html.

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.

Tennesseans are encouraged to take routine precautions used in guarding against respiratory viruses:

*Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

*Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

*Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

*Stay home if you are sick.

*Stay away from people who are sick.

*Flu shots are available for free at your local health department.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Health online at  http://www.tn.gov/health

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Coronavirus threat is fast disrupting daily lives, from school, going out to socialize, and now for workers.

County Mayor Tim Stribling said Monday at least two local industries have shut down temporarily and other plants are cutting back on production.

“SW Manufacturing has shut down for two weeks. Its closed. Tenneco Automotive is closed but has not announced for how long. Star Manufacturing has reduced their work week to four days through the end of April. I made a call to Federal Mogul but have not yet received a response but I think they have had some layoffs. Although they are not automotive related, what is formerly known as Omega Apparel, now 621 Pelham, has closed this week. They may return to work next week,” said County Mayor Stribling.

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Mayor Josh Miller announced Monday that the Municipal Golf Course and Green Brook Park (except for the walking trail) are now closed to the public due to the threat of the COVID-19.

“The City of Smithville as far as our government has stepped up. No one is currently allowed in our city buildings and we just made the call to close our golf course. That was a hard decision because it is an open air facility but the golf course is closed. The shelters, playground area, and restrooms are also closed at Green Brook Park but the walking trail will remain open. Again, we are trying to do all we can as a city but we know we can’t make people stay at home. My advice is that if you don’t have to go somewhere, don’t,” said Mayor Miller.

Last week Mayor Miller ordered city hall to be closed to the public for in-person visits or any business transactions through March 31. City officials are still working normal business hours but if you have a need you may call city hall at 615-597-4745 or the police department at 615-597-8210 or you may stop by the drive through window to speak to a city employee. Payments may also be made at the drive through window, by phone, at the city hall night depository, or online at www.smithvillecityhall.com.

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