Two cases of novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been reported in Dyer County, according to multiple sources. No official word from the state officials has been issued yet.
Dyer County Mayor Chris Young released the following statement Thursday morning regarding the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Dyer County:
“This morning we were notified by the Tennessee Department of Health that a resident of Dyer County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The patient, a juvenile, has been placed in quarantine and is recovering from a mild case of illness.
This is not unexpected. Your local officials have been preparing for and expected this for weeks. We are coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Health and the healthcare community to make sure all Dyer County residents are protected.
The worst thing we can do during trying times like this is to panic. It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus have a mild case 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 to the Emergency Department or any doctor’s office without calling first. We all have to work together to make sure our healthcare community is not overwhelmed with worried citizens.
We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will adapt our response as appropriate as possible. Over the next several weeks we might suffer some inconveniences. You might see things like, you have to use the drive-thru at a bank or a restaurant. There may be some temporary closures of businesses in the community but this will end and we will be a stronger community.”
Young also said the second positive case is an adult who was traveling outside of the county when they became ill. The person has been isolated, now is fully recovered and no longer considered contagious, Young said.
Dyer County has closed its buildings to the public.