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Health Dept. official swears on ‘mother’s life’ report of Hardin County COVID-19 case is correct

An apparent lag in posting county numbers of COVID-19 cases on the Tennessee Department of Health website is fueling doubts about the accuracy of an announcement Friday from Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis of a case here.
Kevin Morris, regional epidemiologist for the Health Department, said Monday, “I absolutely swear to God – I swear on my mother’s life – that a Hardin County resident has been confirmed positive with COVID-19. A colleague and I were just discussing this issue, and I don’t know how I can make a stronger statement; it is true.”
Morris pointed out the state website cautions users that there may be a lag in reporting or missing data.
“Those folks are working hard up there (in Nashville) to report as complete and accurate information as they can, but they are just overwhelmed right now,” he said.
Epidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They seek to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community education and health policy.
Epidemiologists study and analyze the causes, distribution and patterns of health and disease conditions in the population of a given area, to help determine the best method to eliminate a public health threat.
As the regional epidemiologist for the west Tennessee region including Hardin County, Morris is at the top of the regional response to COVID-19, and oversees the response from the Hardin County Health Department.
If someone tests positive for COVID-19, Morris is the person in the chain of public health most likely to know and be able to confirm that.
He urged Hardin countians to accept the announcement as correct, and continue to take all possible precautions against catching or spreading COVID-19, such frequent hand washing with soap and hot water, using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available, cleaning and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces or items, and practicing social distancing.

9 Comments

  1. New to this Town on March 23, 2020 at 11:21 pm

    This is a small town and we would all like to know if any of us came in contact with the person. No names just places they might have possibly been like restaurants Church or other social gatherings.

  2. Patti Young on March 24, 2020 at 8:28 am

    He should not swear an anyone’s life. But what does that matter we need to be taking precautions as if anyone may be positive. Protect yourselves and your loved ones.

  3. Coy on March 24, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    The government should shut down completely.
    And give everybody a check like me lol, bring on the money

  4. Misty Almond on March 24, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    You all dont take it out in him. That website is not up to date like it should be daily. It is happening here as well and in the surrounding counties. I am located in Marion.

  5. Not from that town on March 24, 2020 at 4:39 pm

    I had heard about a patient that was sick with the CORONAVIRUS last week or even sooner. People need to start doing what they are told to do, PERIOD!! If we don’t want more people to get sick then we need to follow orders. Were not in the 1ST grade anymore, so do your dang job and do what the CDC and the Health officials tell you to do!!

  6. Unknown on March 25, 2020 at 9:20 am

    Back in December I got sick with a mild fever and horrible upper respiratory issues. I was off work for 5 days and my flu test came back negative but I was treated for the flu. I thought I was dying. It lasted a good 6 weeks. I am currently having some issues with breathing and coughing a little. If this was any strand of the coronavirus I pray for everyone that gets it. I literally thought I was going to smother.

  7. Johnny Appleseed 🍎 on March 28, 2020 at 6:49 am

    Coy, you ain’t getting a check buddy You should however get a job and stop looking for handout. Unknown, unless you were in Wuhan in December (Hardin → Wuhan – why?), you do not have the coronavirus. Pretty sure you have the Tennessee whooping cough. Godspeed.

    Everyone stay 6 feet away from everyone else for 1 month and stop slobbering all over everything. It’s the only way Trump gets reelected.

  8. Incredulous Mother of Two on March 28, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    SMH – This has being spread for months all across the country for MONTHS. Hardin County is a hotbed, and if you’re in doubt just look around you. Counce looks like the 4th of July! People need to STAY HOME. This is about to explode and people need to be proactive and get tested. The elderly population is being put at risk, I see no sense of urgency and this is the most serious situation I’ve ever seen. If Desoto County has 50 cases (numbers are rising) and is that close to Memphis vam you even imagine the real numbers? Be careful, Hardin County, if there’s one person there are two… if there are two there are eight… if there are eight there are sixty four… The numbers aren’t lying about the rest of the country, and the sickness is about to explode like an angry hornets nest and who will be left to pick up the pieces? Keep your babies close, tell everyone you care about how much you love them, get your loved ones out of the nursing homes, wear gloves and N95 masks, and watch out for your community. May God be with us all.

  9. Rebecca on April 2, 2020 at 5:49 pm

    Traffic is on an upswing the 1st of the month for those on a fixed income who have to pay their bills. Doesn’t mean everyone is becoming complacent. Bills and groceries are still necessities. We need to all be diligent with our precautions and continue to practice social distancing. But let us not lose our constitutional freedoms in our fear and panic.

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