Unified-Command Group’s testing numbers; 5,000-plus this past weekend
Nashville – More than 23,000 Tennesseans have received a free COVID-19 test at 67 drive-through sites over the past three weekends,” Gov. Bill Lee announced today.
The testing, said Lee, is part of Unified-Command Group’s efforts to reduce barriers and widen access to testing for all Tennesseans regardless of symptoms.
“Testing remains one of the most important tools for gaining more information in our fight against COVID-19, and the 23,000 tests we’ve completed over the last three weekends have provided incredibly valuable data,” said Lee. “We’re grateful to the thousands who came out to receive a test this weekend and we continue to remind Tennesseans: when in doubt, get a test.”
Unified-Command Group, led by Director Stuart McWhorter, is a partnership between Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick Sheehan.
Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard supported Tennessee Department of Health personnel at 16 sites across the state May 2 and 3 , with 5,153 Tennesseans receiving a free COVID-19 test. Eight sites were operated on Saturday with 2,733 individuals tested and another eight sites on Sunday with 2,420 individuals tested.
“Our weekend sites have been equipped to meet the demand for free testing across the state,” said Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner. “With ample capacity at our county health departments during the week, we continue to encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of free testing at these locations.”
Christ Community to host drive-thru testing in Hickory Hill
Christ Community Health Services in partnership with the Safety Net Collaborative, the state of Tennessee and the the Health Department will host a COVID 19 testing at Christ Community Health Services Hickory Hill ,5366 Mendenhall Mall, on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
No appointment is necessary, however, pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, text: Test2020 to 91999 or call 901-842-3160.
Vanderbilt finding ways to reuse masks, repurpose valets
NASHVILLE (AP) — Vanderbilt University Medical Center had to scramble for personal protective equipment even before the coronavirus hit. That’s because the deadly March 3 tornado that tore through Tennessee took out its distribution center.
“Our supply chain is great at crisis management,” said Robin Adkins, a nurse who consults with Vanderbilt on sterile processing and logistics. “We got distribution somewhere else and backup reserve, then COVID hit.”
The N95 masks have been the most difficult to come by, Adkins said. In normal times, they are discarded after a single use, but these aren’t normal times. Faced with a nationwide shortage of PPE, Vanderbilt at first began sterilizing masks using ultraviolet light. That allowed them to be reused up to three times. More recently, Vanderbilt has started using hydrogen peroxide vapor for sterilization. It can now reuse a single mask up to 10 times, according to the Nashville hospital. READ more
Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: May 4, 2020
Total COVID-19 Cases Recovered in Shelby County as of 05/03/2020
Shelby County COVID-29 Cases by Race and Ethnicity as of 5/03/20
Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.
COMING THURSDAY PROGRAMMING NOTE:
TODAY’S TSD MUSIC VIBE:
https://www.reverbnation.com/cleopatramemphis/song/31601461-kiss-me-softly
