Updates on cancellations, postponements, useful news concerning COVID-19
Helpful information
• The University of Tennessee System announces a comprehensive online guide that provides information and resources surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19). For more information, visit tennessee.edu/coronavirus.
medic on COVID-19, Need
• MEDIC Regional Blood Center press release stated it “continues to have an immediate and critical need to supply products to regional hospitals. Without donors, our region may be facing an unprecedented blood shortage. There is no substitute for blood or blood products.”
In protecting against COVID-19, MEDIC advises the following:
– Is implementing wellness checks for both staff and visitors effective 3/16/20.
– All collections staff will undergo a daily wellness check before beginning their shift.
– All non-donating visitors will undergo a wellness check upon entering the building at reception.
– MEDIC confirms all donors are screened to ensure they are feeling healthy and well.
– Each donor goes through a mini physical, which includes a temperature check as well as a visual check on the donor’s well-being, looking for coughing, nose draining or if the donor is having a hard time breathing.
– Individuals should not donate if they are feeling ill.
– Donors are asked a series of questions including if they have traveled outside the country.
– MEDIC follows appropriate infection control standards of donor rooms and mobile buses and uses single-use equipment for collection procedures.
– Blood collected at MEDIC always is tested for various infectious diseases.
– Blood donation is not a mass gathering or social event.
– According to the FDA, there is no known risk of transmission of COVID-19 through the blood donation process or from blood transfusions.
– According to the FDA, there is no intrinsic risk of the safety of the blood supply, but there is risk to the availability of blood for patients in need because of an increase in cancelled donation appointments and blood drives.
– MEDIC is not a healthcare provider and thus does not provide a coronavirus test.
Closures-off limits
• Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes announced Friday, March 13, a revised preparedness plan after President Donald Trump declared a National Emergency and Federal health officials mandated all nursing facilities suspend visitation to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 to susceptible patient populations. As of this release there were no cases of COVID-19 at any State Veterans’ Homes or offices.
• Tennessee Theatre has decided to close effective Saturday, March 14 “out of an abundance of caution given the current public health situation,” according to its press release. This temporary closure is scheduled to remain in place through Monday, April 6.
Postponed-canceled
• The following is a list of events either postponed or canceled in the Farragut-Knox County area. This does not necessarily represent all Farragaut and Knox County event closings. See Town of Farragut list, page 3A.
• All events connected with the University of Tennessee postponed indefinitely;
• Cirque de Soleil’s OVO performance has been postponed from its April 15-19 scheduling in Thompson-Boling Arena;
• All events at Clarence Brown Theater postponed at least through Sunday, April 5;
• All events at Knoxville Museum of Art postponed at leas through Wednesday, April 1;
• All events at Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave., Knoxville, postponed indefinitely;
• Covenant Health Marathon postponed (was for March 28-29).
• CADES Membership Event Thursday, March 26, postponed;
• Arts & Cultural Alliance Exhibtions Opening at Emporium Center Friday, April 3, cancelled;
• Big Ears Festival in Downtown Knoxville scheduled Thursday through Sunday, March 26-29, cancelled.
