Category: Coronavirus

This morning we were notified by the TDH that a resident of Fayette County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.  The Health Dept is working with the patient who is quarantined.  The patient has a mild course of illness and is recovering.

This is not unexpected.  Your local officials have been preparing for and expecting this for weeks.  We are coordinating with the TDH and the healthcare community to make sure all Fayette County residents are protected.

The worst thing we can do during trying times like this is panic.  It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus have a mild course of illness and recover quickly.   If you are ill with respiratory symptoms, it is very important that you call your doctor first. Do not go the Emergency Department or any doctor’s office without calling first.  We all have to work together to make sure our health care community is not overwhelmed with worried well.  

We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will adapt our response as appropriate.  Over the next several weeks we might all suffer some inconveniences.  You might see things like the drive through at the bank or a restaurant.  There might be some other temporary closures of businesses in the community, but this will end, and we will be stronger as a community.  

Here are some things you can do to help.

 As I mentioned, do not go to the doctor or the emergency room without calling first.  Keep your hands clean and continue to practice social distancing.  If you are feeling bad, stay at home.  Keep an eye on our elders.  They need to be staying at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe. People over the age of 65 and those with prior illness are at greatest risk so we need to come together and support them.

Again, I want to emphasize, this was not unexpected.  We are prepared and are working closely with the TDH and all agencies of government at all levels to minimize the impact on the residents of Fayette County.  That has been and continues to be our primary concern.  We will get through this together.  Of this I am certain.Individual with specific questions can call the TDH Information line at 877-857-2945 or 731-421-6782.

Fayette County Mayor’s Office
Rhea Taylor, County Mayor
Office (901) 465-5202 / rtaylor@fayettetn.us

Fayette County, working through our Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Local Health Department, is advising and coordinating the community’s response to the Corona Virus pandemic. According to the TN Department of Health, as of today, there is no person who has contracted the disease in West Tennessee outside of Shelby County. In accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (www.cdc.gov), we are advising everyone to use precautions, such as handwashing and avoiding large crowds, so that the spread of the disease can be slowed. The disease starts out as a cold, with aches and pains, and can progress to a low-grade fever and respiratory problems over a 5-10-day period. The disease is more contagious than the normal flu and, without an available vaccination, caution should be taken to avoid contact with individuals who may have the disease. The disease is more severe in older populations, and for those who have underlying health problems already. Those who are in an older population and have other health issues should use more caution than normal to avoid the disease.

Fayette County Ambulance Service is coordinating with all the county and city Fire Departments and first responders to make sure that all calls are responded to in a safe manner. If you must call 911, please cooperate with the Dispatchers so they can send the appropriate response to you. Once help arrives, you may be asked to put on a mask for your and the responder’s protection. This is being done in an abundance of caution to help prevent the spread of the disease.

As of right now, there have been no cancellations of major events or meetings, but those are being evaluated constantly, so please check with the organization for updated information.

If you have a concerns about symptoms and what to do, please go to the CDC website for more information (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html).

Everyone is concerned about this disease, as well they should, but with proper caution and keeping up to date with local information, we are going to do our best to make sure everyone has a good outcome.