Nashville, Tenn.–Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey has provided an update on actions underway to ensure Tennessee is prepared for an outbreak of COVID-19. Tennessee does not have any cases of COVID-19 at this time, and the risk to the general population in Tennessee and the United States remains low.
Governor Bill Lee is being updated regularly by the Tennessee Health Department.
Her statements are included below.
TDH is providing information on COVID-19 online at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.
Additional information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Statement from Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD:
Fellow Tennesseans,
I’m Dr. Lisa Piercey, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health. With a growing
concern in our nation over coronavirus, I wanted to share with you some information and
update you on our preparedness efforts.
As in any emerging threat, our knowledge grows with time. At this point, we know that
coronavirus is a respiratory illness with symptoms and spread much like influenza or “flu.” Its
primary symptoms are fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and usually come on anywhere
between two to 14 days after exposure. In most people, the illness produces mild to moderate
symptoms that do not require hospitalization. However, just like with influenza, the elderly,
people with chronic lung conditions and those with compromised immune systems are at
higher risk.
There are also some things that we don’t know for sure right now, such as if the virus can be
spread by people without symptoms, or how long the virus can remain on nonliving surfaces
like door knobs and bathroom faucets.
The most important thing to know is that Tennessee is prepared. Our state has one of the best
emergency preparedness systems in the nation, and we have been in daily contact with our
local, state and federal partners to coordinate our response efforts, including specialized plans
for our hospitals, schools, employers, prisons and military.
It is common to feel helpless and vulnerable during these types of situations, but there are
some things you can do. First and foremost, wash your hands frequently, especially after
coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching your face, nose and mouth. You should also avoid
close contact with people who are sick, and if you are feeling ill, stay at home to protect others.
While there are currently no cases in Tennessee, we continue to monitor the situation closely.
The Tennessee Department of Health will issue a statewide advisory promptly, if we determine
that the virus has reached our state.
Fear, panic and misinformation can be just as dangerous as an outbreak itself. If you want
additional information, I encourage you to seek a reputable source of news, such as the CDC or
the World Health Organization. Tennessee-specific information can be found on our website at
TN.gov/health.
Thank you for helping us to protect, promote and improve the health of Tennesseans”
Photo: Governor Bill Lee meets with Tennessee Health officials. (State of Tennessee photo)