CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – On Tuesday, Feb. 2, adults 70 years and older in Montgomery County can begin registering to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as the state moves into a new, age-based phase of distribution.

This move is due in part to the state’s increased allocations of COVID-19 vaccines. In addition to those 70 years and older, those in 1a1 and 1a2 of the risk-based phases of the priority list from the state are still eligible to receive the vaccine.

For Montgomery County, there are an estimated 5,460 residents in the 70 to 74 year age group that will now be allowed to get the vaccine, according to 2019 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This group has a 70 percent higher rate of death, and a 40 percent higher rate of hospitalization from COVID-19 as compared to those aged 65 to 69 according to a news release from the Tennessee Department of Health,

To date, the county has been allocated 11,410 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and so far, 8,306 residents have received a vaccine, according to the Clarksville-Montgomery County COVID-19 Dashboard Hub.

Percent of population vaccinated

As of Monday, Feb. 1, Montgomery currently ranks fifth worst in the state for percent of the population vaccinated with 2.5% of the population having received their first dose, and ahead of Hamblen, Sevier, Roane and Grundy counties. This data comes from the Tennessee COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting dashboard, which is run by TDH.

Bill Christian of the Tennessee Department of Health tells Clarksville Now that one reason for Montgomery County’s low ranking is because the state’s vaccine allocation per county is primarily based on population data, including age.

“The SVI (Social Vulnerability Index) allocation accounts for 5% of the total vaccines distributed. That allocation is not impacting Montgomery County’s vaccine administration,” Christian said.

Montgomery County is the youngest county in the state of Tennessee, according to 2019 census data. Montgomery County’s median age is 31.2 years, meanwhile the state’s average median age is is 38.7 years.

How to get the vaccine

The vaccine registration website for Montgomery County is www.signupgenius.com/go/Montgomery_Priority_List. This website is open only to those who are 75 years or older, or qualify as a frontline worker under the priority list from the state.

Tennessee has now set up a call center with the number 866-442-5301 to assist in scheduling appointments, including appointments in Montgomery County.

COVID-19 numbers

Here are the Montgomery County numbers updated on the county’s dashboard for Monday, Feb. 1:

  • 15,817 total confirmed cases since March 6
  • 1,139 active cases
  • 222 total hospitalizations
  • 165 total deaths
  • 95,862 total negative lab results

CMCSS traditional students in seventh through 12th grades are still learning remotely, but will return to in-person learning Feb. 8. Here is the data from the CMCSS COVID-19 dashboard, updated as of Feb. 1:

  • No data for student active cases
  • 125 students excluded
  • 88 students quarantined
  • 725 data for student COVID-19 related absences
  • 48 employee active cases
  • 8 employees excluded
  • 8 employees in quarantine
  • 208 employee COVID-19 related leave

Here are the Austin Peay State University numbers from Jan. 24, according to their dashboard:

  • 30 students with confirmed cases
  • 63 students in quarantine
  • 9 staff and faculty members with confirmed cases
  • 23 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 Civitan Park, 650 Bellamy Lane, 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.