Please read below for information for Smith County residents concerning the COVID-19/Coronavirus.
On Tuesday, Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason met with personnel at Riverview Regional Medical Center, Smith County EMS, and County Commissioner Dr. Roger Duke concerning this health issue.
Both governmental and private health care providers have plans and protocols should a case of COVID-19 be detected in Smith County.
Mayor Mason and Dr. Duke are in the process of forming a COVID-19/Coronavirus Task Force. Any new information will be shared with Smith County citizens.
The following resource was assembled by staff at Riverview Regional Medical Center.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Smith County:
What You Need to Know and What You Need to Do
Your Smith County health resources are working together on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which has made its way to middle Tennessee. We understand there is a great deal of uncertainty and also anxiety for our community and families. What is this virus? What can we do to contain it? How should we respond?
What is coronavirus?
There are seven different coronaviruses known to infect humans. Four of the seven coronaviruses are very common, more mild (similar to the common cold), and most people will be infected with at least one of them in their lifetime. Healthcare providers test for these common coronaviruses routinely, and no public health measures are needed to address these common coronaviruses. People infected with the common coronaviruses can avoid passing them to others by covering their coughs and sneezes, cleaning their hands frequently and containing germs by staying home when ill.
Three of the seven coronaviruses are rare and can cause more severe illness; this includes the virus in the news this year: COVID-19.
Patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
What should we do if we feel we’re at risk?
The risk to the general public remains low at this time. Right now, influenza is a much more significant threat to Americans. However, if you have travelled internationally or have been around someone who has been overseas, and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care right away. Before you go to your physician office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your travel and your symptoms.
How can I help protect myself?
There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19, so the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. There are simple, everyday actions you can take to help prevent spreading germs that cause respiratory viruses. These include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Close contact is defined as being within approximately 6 feet, or within the room or care area, of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Close contact can also include caring for, living with, visiting or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case. Having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (such as being coughed on) while not wearing recommended PPE.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Where can we get more information?
The CDC website and our local/state health department are the most appropriate sources for timely updates on the spread of COVID-19.
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On Tuesday afternoon, the Smith County School Board released the following statement concerning the coronavirus:
Smith County Schools are implementing preventive measures in regards to the Coronavirus. We want our staff, students, and parents to know we are taking the recommended CDC and TDOE prevention guidelines. Our staff is sanitizing schools and buses daily and thoroughly cleaning frequently touched surfaces and stocking schools with extra soap, paper towels, and disinfectant wipes. Teachers will be allowing more time for hand-washing and the school system has provided guidance to principals to help support them in making the best possible decisions for their students, school, and community.
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