CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Monday, active cases of COVID-19 continued to decline in Montgomery County, the state entered Phase 1b of the vaccination plan, and there are new locations to receive both a COVID-19 vaccine and test.
Active cases have declined immensely. Just four weeks ago, Montgomery County had 1,442 active cases. Last Monday, Feb. 15, there were 757 cases. On Monday, the area had only 430 cases of COVID-19.
Vaccine expansion
Montgomery County is now in Phase 1b of the vaccination process, meaning individuals 65-plus, teachers, staff members of kindergarten through 12th grade schools, pre-school teachers and staff, and childcare facility personnel can get the COVID-19 vaccine from here on out.
Phase 1b also includes first responder operations personnel – such as administrative staff, dispatchers, communications staff, and other first responders without significant direct public contact. As part of the over-65 population, Clarksville Now’s own Lee Erwin received his COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.
Vaccine access and testing sites also expanding rapidly. In addition to the old Sears location at Governor’s Square Mall, Austin Peay State University is now a vaccination site.
Six Walmart locations in Clarksville are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine, however they are following the CDC’s guidelines on vaccination phases.
According to their online appointment scheduler, Walmart is only vaccinating persons 70 or older, along with those in healthcare workers, emergency medical services, first responders, law enforcement, and other essential personnel.
St. Bethlehem Drugs at 800 Weatherly Drive, Suite 101A, is also offering the COVID-19 vaccine. They have a limited supply of the Moderna vaccine, and are following Montgomery County’s guidelines. To get on the wait list, call 931-647-6561.
There are also new locations offering COVID-19 testing. Three Walgreens locations in Clarksville offer self-administered, drive-thru tests. The location at 2109 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. offers the Rapid Diagnostic COVID-19 test, and the locations at 1954 Madison Street and 1460 Fort Campbell Blvd. offer the PCR Diagnostic Test. To make an appointment, visit their website.
How to get the vaccine through the health department
To register for a vaccination appointment online through the county health department, visit https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-phases/. Click Montgomery County on the map, click “Make an Appointment” to register, then enter the name and contact information to be notified of the appointment date, time and location as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
This website is open only to those 65 and older and those in 1a1, 1a2 and 1b of the risk-based phases of the priority list from the state. Individuals who do not have access to the internet should call 866-442-5301 to make an appointment.
COVID-19 numbers
Here are the Montgomery County numbers updated on the county’s dashboard for Monday, Feb. 22:
- 17,150 total confirmed cases since March 6
- 430 active cases
- 249 total hospitalizations
- 205 total deaths
- 101,528 total negative lab results
All CMCSS students are still learning remotely due to the winter storm and its impact on school campuses. Here is the data from the CMCSS COVID-19 dashboard, updated as of Feb. 21:
- No data for student active cases
- 69 students excluded
- 55 student quarantined
- No data for student COVID-19 related absences
- 9 employee active cases
- 1 employees excluded
- 10 employees in quarantine
- 81 employee COVID-19 related leave
Here are the Austin Peay State University numbers last updated on Feb. 21, according to their dashboard:
- 16 students with confirmed cases
- 40 students in quarantine
- 3 staff and faculty members with confirmed cases
- 4 staff and faculty members in quarantine
How to get a free COVID-19 test
Free COVID-19 testing is offered by the Montgomery County Health Department at the former Sears location at Governor’s Square Mall, located at 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Drive-thru testing is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and self-administered kits are now available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Follow the signs to the drive-up testing site.