Photo by Luc Brown
The number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Madison County rose by one Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 20, according to Kim Tedford, executive director of the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.
The new COVID-19 case was announced Friday morning by Tedford during a media briefing.
Tedford said the newest patient is a 54-year-old male, who has been told to self-isolate.
The health department’s epidemiology staff is reaching out to people who had contact with the patient.
Tedford said so far, 39 test results from last month’s COVID-19 drive through assessment site have come back negative, with one positive and 28 test results pending.
According to models, Madison County is expected to peak in its number of COVID-19 cases mid-April to end of April, Tedford said Thursday.
Amy Garner, West Tennessee Healthcare Chief Compliance & Communications Officer, said 558 patients have been tested across the system, with the majority of those negative. She said there are 20 positive cases, from Madison County and outlying counties.
Garner said there are currently six COVID-19 patients at the hospital, with two COVID-19 patients on a ventilator.
Garner also said one COVID-19 patient, who had been in the hospital for quite some time, was discharged Thursday.
Garner said West Tennessee Health Care is “doing okay” on personal protective equipment at this time.
Before the media briefing ended, City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris both spoke about their conference call Thursday with grocery stores and big-box retailers operating in the county. Both mayors said they were happy to hear that the retailers were being pro-active and taking the proper steps to protect their customers and their employees.
Harris also said that the inmate population is safe and to his knowledge, no COVID-19 tests have been given to inmates or officers at the Criminal Justice Center.