CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an email sent by his office.

The news comes just ahead of the County Commission’s formal meeting, at which commissioners will vote on a $25 wheel tax increase to pay for a new CMCSS school in the Kirkwood area.

According to the mayor’s office, Durrett will preside over the meeting digitally.

“I tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, October 11 and will continue to quarantine at home for the required amount of time. All contact tracing protocol has been followed. I am feeling well and continue to encourage the residents of Montgomery County to practice CDC guidelines and precautions such as wearing a mask, social distancing and repeatedly washing your hands. All regularly scheduled meetings, including tonight’s formal commission meeting,  will be conducted electronically at this time. Thank you for your prayers and concern,” said Durrett.

Durrett on masks

Durrett has been a vocal proponent of face coverings as a means of slowing the spread of COVID-19. He has spoken to the effectiveness of masks on multiple occasions.

Durrett signed an executive order requiring public facing employees to wear face covering while at work on Friday, July, 3. Two weeks later, the order was extended to apply to all Montgomery County residents (with some exceptions). Both orders were lifted in September.

Hagerty campaign event

Durrett attended a campaign event for senatorial candidate Bill Hagerty at Johnny’s Big Burger on Saturday, Oct. 3, eight days prior to testing positive for COVID-19.

Accoding to the CDC, COVID-19’s, “estimated incubation period is between 2 and 14 days with a median of 5 days. It is important to note that some people become infected and do not develop any symptoms or feel unwell..

Hagerty’s Kick-Off The Vote event was attended by dozens of Montgomery County residents as well as Hagerty, his family and members of his campaign staff.

When asked, Hagerty’s campaign declined to comment on the candidates health, but wished Durrett and his family “a speedy and healthy recovery.”

The following Monday, Durrett presided over the County Commission’s October informal meeting, which was attended by the County Commissioners, county employees, and Montgomery County residents making public comments.

The numbers

Active cases have been on the rise in Montgomery County in recent weeks.

As of Monday, Oct, 12, Clarksville-Montgomery County currently has 299 active cases, including 23 among CMCSS students. There have been 3,293 confirmed cases in the county since March , 6.

To date, there have been 126 hospitalizations and 49 deaths due to COVID-19.

This is a developing story and it will be updated.