LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- With the confirmation of a COVID-19 case in Campbell County, local officials are taking measures to protect the county.

Friday night, county officials were told that one person had tested positive and had opted to self- quarantine. Following that announcement, Campbell County Director of Schools Jennifer Fields decided to close schools.

“Schools will be closed March 16 through 20 for disinfecting and to allow students and staff limited contact with others, but the school system cannot act alone,” Fields said in a release. “We are only one of many public facilities where germs can be transmitted, and it is crucial that you work with us by limiting exposure to populated areas.”
Spring break for county schools is scheduled for March 23 through 27.

Prior to the confirmation of the virus being found locally, Mayor EL Morton had issued a statement. He urged people to use precautions while still continuing everyday activities. Because the virus is airborne, he said adjustments would be made to court dockets to lessen people’s possible exposure but county offices and agencies will remain open.

The Eighth Judicial Criminal Court will only be hearing cases with inmates, Judge Shayne Sexton said.

While public access to the court will be limited, per an order from the Supreme Court of Tennessee, the courts across the state will conducting business that pertains to bond matters, jury trials that were in progress as of Friday, as well as emergencies relating to abuse, the elderly and any proceeding relating to COVID-19.

As of Sunday, 39 cases had been confirmed across the state, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. Since testing began in Tennessee, 174 people have been tested for COVID-19; 157 have tested negative.

The largest concentration was 17 cases in Davidson County. Only nine counties across the state have confirmed the virus being detected in their areas.

COVID- 19 is spread through the air between people with six feet or less between them, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The CDC recommends common sense strategies to stop the spread of the virus such as washing hands, staying home when ill and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. For more information on precautions visit HERE.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED- 3/16/2020- 6AM)