CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Health officials at Tennova Healthcare have confirmed the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Clarksville-Montgomery County.
“For the last several days, our hospital has been working collaboratively with the Tennessee Department of Health while testing was completed for a patient who presented to our facility with risk factors and symptoms consistent with those associated with novel Coronavirus,” said Tennova Clarksville’s marketing and communications director Ryan Windham. “The test results have confirmed the patient has COVID-19 and the individual remains in our care.”
As of Wednesday, March 18, there were 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, with the latest confirmed cases having come from Cheatham and Robertson Counties. Davidson County has the highest number of confirmed cases with 60 as of March 19.
This news comes shortly after Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and County Mayor Jim Durrett each declared a local state of emergency for the area.
Immediately upon identifying the potential for COVID-19, the individual was placed in an appropriate isolation room, which only a small team of caregivers can access.
“Our hospital continually works to ensure preparedness for all types of infectious diseases. We are well prepared to support this patient, and to continue providing medical care for all patients in our care while protecting the safety of our caregiving team and other patients. We take seriously our role in helping to keep our community healthy, and we appreciate the agencies that are assisting us,” said Windham.
Residents who feel their symptoms require a visit to a healthcare professional to be tested for COVID-19 can find information here.
The Center for Disease Control has recently updated their recommendation, stating that people should refrain from group gatherings of more than 10 people, according to a White House statement.