BROWNSVILLE, Tenn.—Haywood County has reported its first positive case of the novel coronavirus. County Mayor David Livingston made the announcement Saturday, March 28, through a press release.

“Today, I was notified by the Tennessee Department of Health that a resident of Haywood County, Tenn., has tested positive … The Health Department is working with the patient who is in quarantine,” the release read. “This is not unexpected. Your local officials have been preparing for and expecting that this would occur for weeks and have so warned you of the impending eventuality that this virus will come to Haywood … We are coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Health Care Community to make sure all Haywood County residents are protected.”

As of Saturday, Tennessee’s Department of Health was reporting 1,373 positive cases of COVID-19 throughout the state with six fatalities.

In the mayor’s release, he advised Haywood Countians to remain calm, saying, “The worst thing we can do during these trying times is panic.”

Mayor Livingston offered guidance for those concerned they may be infected and tips for preventing spread of the virus.

“It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus will have a mild course of illness and recover quickly. If you are ill with respiratory symptoms, it is very important that you call your medical care provider or doctor’s office first. Do not just show up at the doctor’s office. Again, call first. Do not go to the emergency room without calling first. We are all in this together and we will make sure that our healthcare community is not overwhelmed. Here are some things you can do to help yourself, your family and your community:

First, if you are sick, call your health care provider or doctor’s office … Keep your hands clean and continue to practice social distancing. This will reduce the chances that you spread the virus to others including your family. If you are feeling bad stay at home, but call your employer at inform him as to what is happening.

Second, check on, by telephone, our elderly, people with immune problems, cancer patients, dialysis patients, pregnant mothers or any of our other citizens that have their immune system compromised. They need to stay at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe. People over the age of 65 and those in poor health are at the greatest risk. We, as a community, need to support them. This does not mean that people under the age of 65 cannot catch this virus …
We will get through this together. Of this, I am certain. Individuals with specific questions, please call the Tennessee Department of Health for further information at their hot line: 1-877-857-2945 or 1-731-421-6782.”