Farragut reacts to COVID-19
Creating the biggest social disruption from a nationwide health issue in modern times, COVID-19 virus concern in Farragut has Town officials cancelling and postponing government, community and recreational events planned within the next 30 days.
“In an effort to reduce community exposure to the COVID-19 virus, the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 26, and all volunteer committee meetings through Friday, April 3, have been cancelled,” a Town Hall press release stated.
“An abbreviated Municipal Planning Commission meeting is still scheduled for Thursday, March 19. In an effort to follow President Donald Trump’s recommendation to limit group gatherings to fewer than 10, the Town recommends watching the meeting at 7 p.m. on TDS (channel 3) or Charter (channel 193),” the release further stated.
“Questions and comments for the Planning Commission can be e-mailed to communitydevelopment@townoffarragut.org/. E-mails received by noon, Thursday, March 19, will be addressed at the meeting and included in the public record. The Planning Commission agenda may be viewed at townoffarragut.org/agendacenter.”
As for Farragut Community Center programs, “Classes and events have been suspended through Friday, April 3, as have Farragut athletic field rentals,” the release stated. “Farragut parks and park restrooms are currently open.”
Two invitation-only events, Farragut’s 40th Anniversary Exhibit and Movie Premiere (originally April 1) and the Farragut Committee/Volunteer Banquet (originally April 17), have been postponed.
Updated Town information is available on townoffarragut.org and farragutparksandrec.org.
(To read other event scheduling changes, see Town of Farragut Events on page 3A.)
Meanwhile, Farragut schools will have an extended Spring Break due to COVID-19 concerns, with Knox County Schools stating classes are suspended — and all related activities shut down on and off campuses— at least through Friday, April 3.
To learn more about the local situation regarding COVID-19 and how to protect yourself, visit the following websites: Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html/; Tennessee Department of Health: tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html and Knox County Health Department: knoxcounty.org/health/coronavirus/
“Our criteria for testing is focused on … if they have a fever, cough or an illness that we can’t identify another source for, then we will test those individuals,” said Dr. Joe Childs, chief medical officer at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital during a seven-person panel question-and-answer session with media, featuring some of East Tennessee’s top health and medical officials, at KCHD Monday afternoon, March 16.
“We also look at their risk factors such as travel or exposure to other people who are under (COVID-19) investigation.”
As of deadline Tuesday afternoon, March 17, only one citizen in Knox County had tested positive for COVID-19.
Procedures
Knox County Health Department and private health organization staffs “are screening many, many people who are concerned about whether they have COVID-19,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, Knox County Health Department senior director who was one of seven of East Tennessee’s top health and medical officials to be part of a press conference panel Monday, March 16, at KCHD. “We are able … to get people access to testing who qualify.
“Not everybody who asks to be tested for COVID-19 needs to be tested,” she added. “… They have to have symptoms or other risk factors.”
“Our criteria for testing is focused on … if they have a fever, cough or an illness that we can’t identify another source for, then we will test those individuals,” said Dr. Joe Childs, chief medical officer at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. “We also look at their risk factors such as travel or exposure to other people who are under (COVID-19) investigation.”
“If you have symptoms, please call you primary care provider,” said Dr. Mark Browne, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Covenant Health.
As of deadline Tuesday afternoon, March 17, only one citizen in Knox County had tested positive for COVID-19.
While Buchanan listed some simple prevention tips — staying home if you are sick, washing your hands regularly and keeping hands and fingers away from your face and mouth — she also mentioned “encouraging people not to gather in large groups” and “social distancing,” where you stay at least 3 to 6 feet away from others within small groups.
As for those most vulnerable in addition to those already sick, or who are dealiing with a condition such as diabetes, “We know seniors are at highest risk for complications to this illness,” Buchanan said.
For more information, including testing, contact KDHD by calling 865-215-5000.
