9 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Dyer County

BRANDON HUTCHESON

bhutcheson@stategazette.com

Over the weekend, the number of positive COVID-19 cases increased to 9, up from 5 confirmed cases reported by the Tennessee Department of Health on Friday. When the most recent numbers were released on Monday, April 6 at 2 p.m., Dyer County did not show an increase of positive cases, but the number of negative results grew to 116.

During Monday’s update, the state department of health confirmed the positive COVID-19 cases in the state were at 3,802 with 352 hospitalizations, 356 recoveries, and 65 fatalities reported. The total number of negative cases in Tennessee was at 43,548. The total amount tested statewide was 47,350.

At the state public health laboratory, a total of 2,627 COVID-19 tests have been performed, resulting in 2,295 negatives and 332 positive.

In all other commercial and private laboratories, a total of 44,723 COVID-19 tests have been completed with 41,253 testing negative and 3,470 positive.

The majority of positive cases are in metropolitan areas, mostly in Middle

Tennessee, such as Davidson Co. (Nashville – 819 positive; 5,979 negative), Rutherford Co. (Murfreesboro – 161 positive; 1,385 negative), Sumner Co. (Gallatin/Hendersonville – 335 positive; 1,221 negative), Williamson Co. (Franklin – 260 positive; 1,849 negative), and Wilson Co. (Mt. Juliet/Lebanon – 97 positive; 996 negative).

In other metro areas, Knox Co. (Knoxville) has 119 positive cases and 1,177 negative, while Hamilton Co. (Chattanooga) has 83 confirmed cases and 888 negative.

In West Tennessee, Shelby Co. (Memphis) is second in the state with reported COVID-19 confirmed cases. The state health department noted Shelby Co. had 766 positive cases with 3,396 negative.

The COVID-19 test results for all West Tennessee counties, as of 2 p.m. April 6, is as follows:

Benton – 4 positive, 54 negative; Carroll – 8 positive, 127 negative; Chester – 6 positive, 72 negative; Crockett – 0 positive, 39 negative; Decatur – 0 positive, 50 negative; Dyer – 9 positive, 116 negative; Fayette – 21 positive, 177 negative; Gibson – 12 positive, 195 negative; Hardeman – 6 positive, 91 negative; Hardin – 2 positive, 152 negative; Haywood – 5 positive, 52 negative; Henderson – 1 positive, 104 negative; Henry – 5 positive, 103 negative; Lake – 0 positive, 20 negative; Lauderdale – 5 positive, 64 negative; Madison – 22 positive, 313 negative; McNairy – 4 positive, 83 negative; Obion – 2 positive, 81 negative; Shelby – 766 positive, 3,396 negative; Tipton – 36 positive, 275 negative; and Weakly – 5 positive, 97 negative.

The department also reported 290 confirmed cases (7,862 negative) from individuals who reside outside the state lines.

The report also listed the number of deaths by county. Those results are as follows:

Blount – 2, Davidson – 7, Franklin – 1, Greene – 1, Hamilton – 9, Hawkins – 1, Knox – 3, Macon – 1, Marion – 1, Montgomery – 1, Obion – 1, Rutherford – 3, Shelby – 13, Sullivan – 1, Sumner – 15, Trousdale – 1, Williamson – 2, Pending - 2

To help flatten the curve and reduce the impact of COVID-19, the Tennessee Department of Health recommends the following:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub) for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing

• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

• Stay home when you are sick

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue

• Clean and disinfect objects (e.g., cell phone, computer) and high touch surfaces regularly

“Some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness, including older adults and individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease,” Walker explained. “It’s extra important for people in these groups to take actions to reduce their risk of getting sick with COVID-19:

• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others

• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often

• Avoid crowds as much as possible

• Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel

• During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.”

The Tennessee Department of Health provides updated COVID-19 numbers daily at 2 p.m. at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

For additional information, visit https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html, and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.