Paris, Tenn.–Governor Bill Lee today issued Executive Order No. 77 allowing 89 rural counties in the state to continue to issue local masking orders through April 28 and Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway has extended the county masking order through midnight on March 27, 2021.
Many provisions of past executive orders remain in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19, according to Henry County EMA Director Ron Watkins.
Henry County Medical Center reported Thursday there are no positive inpatients being treated locally. Henry County Medical Center and the Henry County Health Dept continue to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to the community for persons 65 years and older as vaccine becomes available.
Henry County Medical Center is dispensing vaccine at their Plumley Rehab Center on Hospital Circle as vaccine becomes available while the Health Department is alternating between the Henry County Fairgrounds and the Health Department office on Joy Street according to number of vaccine doses available.
The local Health Department is fortunate to have the Tennessee National Guard supporting their vaccination drive thru clinics through March. Five Guardsmen are assisting with much needed manpower and administrative duties. Persons wishing to receive a vaccine through HCMC are asked to watch for media releases for scheduled days and persons can schedule an appointment with the Health Dept through the State Dept of Health website at www.covid19.tn.gov or by calling 866-442-5301.
Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway said, “I am encouraged our numbers continue to decline however, we will continue to ask our citizens remain cautious for a while longer for the good of our health. I am optimistic the county positivity rate will continue to decline as more people get vaccinated and we can soon get back to normal. I want to thank all our healthcare professionals working hard to make Henry County a leader in Tennessee for the number of persons vaccinated per capita.”
The Henry County Health Dept continues to provide free COVID testing by appointment only. Over the past seven days, the county averaged 2.43 new positive cases per day with a 11.9 % positivity rate and is reporting 21 active cases in our community.