CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The beginning phases of the vaccination process have been underway in Montgomery County for nearly two weeks, but a lack of communication about how to get the vaccine is creating confusion and frustration.

Since our last COVID-19 numbers update, the county’s number of active cases has dropped to just below the 1,600 mark. The area has experienced an additional nine deaths in the last week, and four more residents have been hospitalized with the virus.

Clarksville Now has received several reports, as well as confirmation from the Tennessee Department of Health, that callers trying to get through to the Montgomery County Department of Health at 931-648-5747, as well as the local W.I.C. office, have been met with a busy tone or a message alerting callers to an overloaded call circuit.

If you are trying to make an appointment for yourself or a loved one who is 75 years or older, or qualify as a frontline worker under the priority list from the state, some success has been found in emailing the Health Department at HealthDept@mcgtn.net.

In other COVID-19 news, the Montgomery County Animal Care and Control offices are closed until Jan. 11 due to 11 out of the 20 MCACC employees testing positive for the virus. There are still nine employees on location taking care of the animals.

COVID-19 numbers

Here are the Montgomery County numbers updated on the county’s dashboard for Monday, Jan. 4:

  •  12,129 total confirmed cases since March 6
  •  1,598 active cases
  •  191 total hospitalizations
  •  129 total deaths
  •  84,995 total negative lab results

Here are the 14-day trends for the last 28-day period, compiled by Montgomery County’s Director of Health, Joey Smith on Jan. 4:

In the last 14 days, Montgomery County has had:

  • 1,838 new cases out of 6,787 tests
  • 8 hospitalizations
  • 20 COVID-19 deaths
  • 198 new school-age cases (age 5-18)
  • 137.6 average of new cases daily
In the previous 14 days, Montgomery County had:
  • 2,767 positives out of 13,320 tests
  • 8 hospitalizations
  • 14 COVID-19 deaths
  • 428 new school-age cases (age 5-18)
  • 195.867 average of new cases daily

CMCSS’s dashboard, which is normally included in Clarksville Now’s weekly COVID-19 updates, does not show any data as the school system is currently on its first day back from winter break, and all students will learn remotely until Jan. 25.

Here are the Austin Peay State University numbers, according to their dashboard:

  • 7 students with confirmed cases
  • 6 students in quarantine
  • 7 staff and faculty members with confirmed cases
  • 19 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 in a temporary location at Civitan Park, 650 Bellamy Lane, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-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.