NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee continues to climb, with 615 reported cases in the state on March 23.
Governor Bill Lee held a press conference shortly after the Tennessee Department of Health announced the daily update. This was the first time his press conference has live streamed the daily conference instead of held the conference in person with the press.
The governor confirmed one of his staff members, with whom he had “limited contact” had tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19. Gov. Lee said he was feeling fine.
Shelter in Place
When asked why he would not impose a “Shelter in Place” mandate from the Governor’s office, Lee stated that “there was no one size fits all” solution for states. Although Governor Lee did confirm “nothing was off the table”.
State officials and local leaders are making decisions daily on the global pandemic and its impact on Tennesseans.
Metro Nashville-Davidson County, Memphis, and Knoxville mayors have all implemented a ‘stay at home’ directive for residents, urging the temporary closure of non-essential businesses.
Counties testing positive in Tennessee include:
Anderson – 1
Blount – 2
Bradley – 1
Campbell – 2
Carroll – 2
Cheatham – 4
Chester – 1
Claiborne – 1
Cocke – 1
Cumberland – 2
Davidson – 164 (Metro Public health is reporting 185)
Dekalb – 1
Dickson – 5
Dyer – 2
Fayette – 2
Franklin – 1
Gibson – 1
Greene – 4
Hamblen – 3
Hamilton – 12
Hardin – 1
Houston – 1
Jefferson – 3
Knox – 12
Lincoln – 1
Loudon – 1
Marion – 1
Maury – 6
McMinn – 2
Monroe – 2
Montgomery – 3
Perry – 2
Putnam – 6
Roane – 1
Robertson – 6
Rutherford – 9
Scott – 1
Sevier – 1
Shelby – 93
Sullivan – 2
Sumner – 34
Tipton – 6
Washington – 6
Williamson – 53
Wilson – 6
Out of TN – 89
Unknown – 54
TOTAL: 615
The #COVID19 case count for Tennessee is now 615 as of March 23, including two deaths. Improvements in our tracking process has changed figures for some counties so their numbers are lower than those in yesterday’s report. For more information, go to: https://t.co/Pwof6IANuV pic.twitter.com/F7e6I6gueX
— TN Dept. of Health (@TNDeptofHealth) March 23, 2020
Governor Lee Establishes ‘Unified Command’
On Monday, March 23, Governor Bill Lee announced the established of the COVID-19 Unified Command, a joint effort to be led by Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, to streamline coordination across the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Military.
“The COVID-19 pandemic challenges every aspect of traditional government response in a crisis,” said Gov. Lee. “I have appointed the Unified Command to effectively change the way we attack COVID-19 in Tennessee as we work to simultaneously address health, economic and supply crises.”
Commissioner Stuart McWhorter currently heads the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and will leave this post to head the COVID-19 Unified Command. McWhorter appointed retired Brig. Gen. Scott Brower to serve as chief of staff for the operation.
“Gen. Brower’s special forces background and previous service as the Acting Senior Commander for the 101st Airborne Division has enabled him to pull leaders together and troubleshoot quickly in a crisis,” said McWhorter. “Gov. Lee has urged our team to challenge every barrier and assembling this team is the first step.”
Brower resides in Clarksville and most recently served as the military advisor in residence to the president of Austin Peay State University. The COVID-19 Unified Command also includes Patrick Sheehan, TEMA Director, Dr. Lisa Piercey, Commissioner, TN Dept of Health, and Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Adjutant General, Tennessee Dept of Military.