*Menu
Search
Submit
Dyersburg State Gazette

Two coronavirus cases confirmed in Dyer County

Thursday, March 19, 2020

MIKE SMITH

msmith@stategazette.com

The number of coronavirus cases continues to grow nationwide, with Dyer County reporting its first two confirmed cases on Thursday morning.

While Tennessee officials have not released the ages of the individuals, the State Gazette confirmed one individual is currently self-quarantined at home, while a second individual has already been quarantined and released after it was determined the individual was no longer contagious.

On Thursday morning, Dyer County Mayor Chris Young released the following statement regarding the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Dyer County:

“This morning we were notified by the Tennessee Department of Health that a resident of Dyer County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The patient, a juvenile, has been placed in quarantine and is recovering from a mild case of illness.

"This is not unexpected. Your local officials have been preparing for and expected this for weeks. We are coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Health and the healthcare community to make sure all Dyer County residents are protected.

"The worst thing we can do during trying times like this is to panic. It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus have a mild case 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 or any doctor’s office without calling first. We all have to work together to make sure our healthcare community is not overwhelmed with worried citizens.

"We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will adapt our response as appropriate as possible. Over the next several weeks we might suffer some inconveniences. You might see things like, you have to use the drive-thru at a bank or a restaurant. There may be some temporary closures of businesses in the community but this will end and we will be a stronger community."

Mayor Young also had some advice for citizens that may help all involved.

“As I mentioned, do not go to the doctor or the Emergency Department 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 elders. They need to be staying at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe, “ explained Mayor Young. “People over the age of 65 and those with prior illnesses are at the greatest risk so we need to come together and support them.”

“Again, I want to emphasize, this was not unexpected. We are prepared and are working closely with the TDH and all agencies of government at all levels to minimize the impact on the residents of Dyer County. That has been and continues to be our primary concern. We will get through this together. Of this I am certain.

UPDATE – Prior to the release of this statement, Mayor Young was notified by the TDH of second confirmed case in Dyer County.

“I have been notified that we have a confirmed second case of the virus,” said Mayor Young. “The patient has recovered and is no longer contagious, and that’s all the information we have at this time.”

Individuals with specific questions may call the TDH information line at 877-857-2945 or 731-421-6782.

As more details develop and more information is available, updates will be provided at www.stategazette.com

Comments
View 11 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

  • We should at least know the neighbor hoods these cases are in.

    -- Posted by welder1Atermco on Thu, Mar 19, 2020, at 6:45 PM

  • I agree with welder,we should know the general area to avoid although the quarantine should be enough to protect the public

    -- Posted by newshawk on Thu, Mar 19, 2020, at 9:29 PM

  • I'm sorry if I sound careless with my comment. Although I'm concerned for my communities health I want to add that I'm very concerned for the small child and I hope he is doing well and recovers fast. God please be with this family.

    -- Posted by welder1Atermco on Fri, Mar 20, 2020, at 1:21 AM

  • These unfortunate people personal information shouldn't be released to the public. We as individuals should do our part & follow the instructions to stay home, adhere to social distancing, & sanitizing that's been given out by the CDC, the government, & doctors. By doing so we can show we love our neighbors & help to stop the spread of this virus. Trying to expose who they are shouldn't be our main focus. Our focus should be on doing what we can to protect ourselves,the ones we love, & others.

    -- Posted by brianbk9 on Fri, Mar 20, 2020, at 1:36 AM

  • I dont want to know any names but I would like to know a location because I still have to drive back and forth from work every day and I dont want to bring this virus anywhere near my husband,he has COPD AND EMPHYSEMA and recently had lung surgery. Everyone please follow the rules and stay home and sanitize and keep your distance! There are so many people in our community that need protected!God bless everyone!

    -- Posted by Twizzty on Fri, Mar 20, 2020, at 10:31 AM

  • Here is some great advice.....do not panic, but use precautions....washing hands, follow CDC guidelines, etc.

    Travel as little as possible. When not possible, use social distancing and proper hygiene procedures if you must come into contact with someone. Treat everyone as if they are a carrier, because they actually could be. Knowing the neighborhood of a person who has tested positive is not essential to maintaining your health. This person or persons were most likely mobile prior to quarantine. Treat all areas as if they could be contaminated, use precautions. This outcry to know the neighborhood of the home of the positive carrier is absolutely unnecessary. Information pertinent to their exposure to others at work, school, their test location, etc. if it occurred is necessary so others can take precautions or quarantine. This is usually done by the CDC and responsible employers, etc. Information on location of a neighborhood would be a dangerous violation of their privacy. If it were you, your child, or your loved one, would you want that information released? No....and be prepared, you will most likely have more cases before this Pandemic is under control. Even if it were your next door neighbor, you are at no greater risk if you follow the guidelines of the CDC.

    -- Posted by Candidcitizen on Fri, Mar 20, 2020, at 11:06 AM

  • Well there goes that....

    -- Posted by Candidcitizen on Sat, Mar 21, 2020, at 8:09 PM

  • Now we know where not to go to decrease our odds of getting the china virus

    -- Posted by welder1Atermco on Sat, Mar 21, 2020, at 10:31 PM

  • Welder1Atermco.....you don't go anywhere to decrease your odds...you stay at home....

    -- Posted by Candidcitizen on Sun, Mar 22, 2020, at 8:01 AM

  • We all can't stay at home when we have a job to keep. Can't set back and wait on welfare to feed me....so have fun staying at home.

    -- Posted by welder1Atermco on Mon, Mar 23, 2020, at 2:29 AM

  • I am not staying at home....work everyday with a sworn oath to protect people like you and others. Please educate yourself on this virus and understand you are safe if you follow proper procedure...it has nothing to do with a neighborhood a positive tested person lives in. Godspeed.

    -- Posted by Candidcitizen on Mon, Mar 23, 2020, at 6:11 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: