DeKalb County Has its First Confirmed Case of the Coronavirus

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County has its first confirmed case of the coronavirus as of Monday, March 23.

County Mayor Tim Stribling released the following statement Monday afternoon to WJLE.

“We have been notified by the TN Department of Health that a resident of DeKalb County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus,” said Mayor Stribling. “The patient has been placed in self quarantine.”

“This is not unexpected. We are coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the healthcare community to make sure all DeKalb County residents continue to be protected.”

“The worst thing we can do during trying times like this is panic. It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus have a mild course of illness and recover quickly. If you are ill with respiratory symptoms, it is very important that you call your doctor first. Do not go to the Emergency Department (ED) or any doctor’s office without calling first. We all have to work together to make sure our health care community is not overwhelmed with worried well.

“We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will adapt our response as appropriate. Yes, this virus has caused some inconveniences. But those inconveniences are small compared to what we stand to lose if we keep spreading the coronavirus; our loved ones, the doctors and nurses who will care for them, our friends who are fighting cancer or who have other health issues. Social distancing might be a pain for you but it’s a chance to be a hero for other people. There might be some other inconveniences in the coming days but this will end and we will be stronger as a community.”

“Here are some things you can do to help.”

“As I mentioned, do not go to the doctor or the emergency department (ED) without calling first. Keep your hands clean and continue to practice social distancing. If you are feeling bad, stay at home. Keep an eye on our elderly. They need to be staying at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe.”

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

Individuals with specific questions can call the TDH Information line at 877-857-2945 or 931- 931-646-7586.

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Automobiles began lining up more than 2 hours ahead of time this morning (Monday) at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center on the first day of a drive through food distribution for kids out of school due to the COVID-19 threat. Another distribution was held simultaneously at DeKalb West School.

The First Baptist Church served as the host for the event in Smithville, also supported by other churches in cooperation with the DeKalb County School District to make sure students, regardless of income, are fed while at home. The only requirement was that students, age 18 or younger, had to be in the vehicles driving thru according to state and federal guidelines.

Hundreds were served in today’s distribution. The pickup line in Smithville began at the Life Enrichment Center and extended down Church Street in front of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and beyond.

Next week, March 30 and until school goes back in session, the school system will be taking on the food distribution at the same two locations on Mondays and Thursdays with continued support from churches.

“We will be preparing meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon at the same locations, the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center and at DeKalb West School. We will be putting together breakfast and lunch meals and additional food on Mondays starting March 30 for a three day supply and a two day supply on Thursdays beginning April 2,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.

“We will have volunteers distributing the food. As you pull up to the buildings we will hand out food for the numbers of students age 18 and younger who are in the car,”he said.

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

To combat the growing spread of the coronavirus, County Mayor Tim Stribling is calling on all DeKalb County residents to heed an executive order signed by Governor Bill Lee Sunday limiting social gatherings, dine-in restaurant service, and gym use.

The new regulations are effective at midnight central time on Monday, March 23.

“Although there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within DeKalb County to date this situation is rapidly evolving and threat of this virus is imminent to the citizens of DeKalb County. We possibly could have to take on more restrictions because there are just so many unknown factors in terms of the spread of the virus. Cooperation and social distancing will help slow this spread. I want to make sure that our residents and employees are safe as we work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and provide essential services. I encourage everyone to follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines and adhere to the executive order of Governor Lee,” said County Mayor Stribling.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created both an economic and a health crisis and our response must continue to address both aspects,” Governor Lee said in a statement. “Our goal is to keep the public, especially vulnerable populations, safe while doing everything possible to keep Tennesseans in a financially stable position”

The executive order prohibits social gatherings of ten or more people and also enacts the following provisions regarding restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments:

•Establishments are to exclusively offer drive-thru, take-out or delivery options to support families, businesses and the food supply chain during this emergency.
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•Establishments may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up.

•Gyms and fitness/exercise centers, or substantially similar facilities, are to temporarily close and suspend in-person services until April 6. In the interim, these businesses are encouraged to pursue digital programming if possible.

The order also pursues additional measures to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe.

•Visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities is now limited to visits involving essential care only.

•Businesses are encouraged to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public.

“I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously – our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19,” the governor stated.

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