Oak Ridge Today

Y-12 confirms COVID-19 case

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Consolidated Nuclear Security on Monday confirmed a case of a person with COVID-19 at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

Information about the case was shared with employees on Monday, March 23.

“The employee is in isolation at home, and affected work areas have been sanitized,” said CNS, which manages Y-12 and another nuclear weapons production plant, the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas.

At Y-12, CNS said other employees who have been in contact with the affected employee have been asked to self-quarantine.

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Council declares emergency, suspends utility disconnects

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Note: This story was last updated at 3:43 p.m.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday declared a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to suspend the disconnection of utilities for non-payments for up to 90 days.

The Council also agreed to let the Oak Ridge Electric Department work with ADFAC, a nonprofit organization, to supply $100,000 worth of utility aid to help residential customers. Customers would have to demonstrate that they were either laid off or had their work hours significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The temporary utility policy applies to electricity, water, sewer, and garbage service. The city is not providing the services for free, so bills will continue to accrue even if they’re not being paid. Oak Ridge Electric Director Jack Suggs said the city will work with customers to make payments once life returns to normal.

“We expect this is going to be very hard on people,” Suggs told the Oak Ridge City Council during a 90-minute special meeting at noon Monday.

In a Thursday memo, Suggs said the nationwide measures taken so far to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have dramatically affected many people in Oak Ridge.

“Hotel occupancy has plummeted to historically low levels while restaurants and entertainment venues have closed or reduced hours and services,” Suggs said. “As a result, many of these enterprises are struggling to meet their financial obligations. Many employees in these industries have been laid off or had their working hours slashed to levels where they are financially unable to meet their basic financial obligations.”

Complicating the situation: Schools have closed, meaning children are at home, sometimes by themselves, and social service agencies have closed.

Suggs said most utilities in the area have suspended disconnects for non-payment for now.

“This is done in recognition that persons who are confined at home, and especially those with children, require utilities for their continued health and welfare. This is an issue not only for the individual, but also for the community at large. The same thing can be said about the shutdown of commercial or industrial accounts. While the loss of one business is a tragedy, the loss of several accounts is a community disaster.”

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AC Courthouse closed after UT Ag Extension employee tests positive for COVID-19

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The Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton is closed today (Monday, March 23) after an employee in the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Office tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on Sunday.

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank was notified of the positive diagnosis late Sunday afternoon, a press release said.

Monday’s closure only affects the Courthouse, and it is not a full closure of county government operations. Other county government offices—for example, the Jolley Building, old DARC building (on Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge), the Animal Shelter, and the recycling center—will continue to operate with modifications in place, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and the Tennessee Department of Health, the press release said. Visit www.anderson-county.com for up to date information on operations.

The one-day closure will give Anderson County’s Buildings and Grounds team time to disinfect the building more heavily than what is already being done, the press release said.

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Blood drive at Civic Center today

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MEDIC Regional Blood Center will have a blood drive today, Monday, March 23, in front of the Oak Ridge Civic Center. 

The drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“While many are concerned about coronavirus or COVID-19, MEDIC wants the public to know that according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no known risk of transmission of COVID-19 through the blood donation process or from blood transfusions,” a press release said.

Blood centers throughout the country are experiencing a significant drop in donations, which is limiting the ability for the nation’s blood supply to be adequately replenished.

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With exceptions, visitors not allowed at MMC

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With some exceptions, visitors are no longer allowed at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

The new visitor policy was effective at the hospital on Saturday, March 21.

Exceptions to the policy include:

  • Visiting a loved one for end-of-life care.
  • A visitor vital to the care of the patient.
  • Patients coming for surgery or testing may have one caregiver accompany them.
  • Women giving birth may have one birthing partner, doula, or caregiver.

OR Schools, Aramark offering free meals to students

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Oak Ridge Schools and Aramark are offering free meals to students this week.

The meals are for Oak Ridge children under 18, a press release said. They will be “to go.”

Meals will be distributed at Glenwood Elementary School, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Preschool, and Robertsville Middle School. All pickup locations are at drop-off circles. Breakfast is from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and lunch is from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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COVID-19 cases rise to 505 in Tenn.; Loudon reports first case

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Note: This story was updated at 4:40 p.m.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Tennessee rose to 505 on Sunday, a 36 percent increase from Saturday, when the total was 371.

The first case was reported in Loudon County south of Anderson County on Sunday. Cases have previously been reported in Anderson County and four surrounding counties: Campbell, Knox, Roane, and Scott.

About 50 percent of COVID-19 cases continues to be among patients who are 21 to 40 years old.

About 47 percent of cases are in three Nashville-area counties: Davidson (167), Sumner (22), and Williamson (48).

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Covenant Health, other hospitals stop non-essential adult procedures

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This tent outside the emergency department at Methodist Medical Center is not being used as of Sunday, March 22, 2020, but it is set up in case the hospital has to expand services for a surge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Covenant Health and other Knoxville-area hospitals will temporarily stop non-essential adult procedures starting Monday, March 23.

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge is part of Covenant Health.

In Knoxville, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital will limit certain non-essential pediatric procedures.

“Ultimately, hospitals will rely on providers to use clinical judgement and standards of care in determining when to complete a procedure,” area hospitals said in a press release Friday.

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Lee: Dine-in prohibited at restaurants, gyms must close

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An order from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Sunday prohibits eating inside restaurants and requires gyms and fitness centers to temporarily close.

The executive order is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The order, Executive Order 17, said restaurants, bars, and similar businesses that serve food and drinks must sell food only through drive-throughs or take-outs, or by delivery.

Businesses may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery when customers buy food. But the alcohol must be in closed containers and served only to customers who are 21 years old or older.

The measures are meant to help families, businesses, and the food supply chain. Lee’s office said.

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Belk, JCPenney, theater closed

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Three of the four stores pictured above at Main Street Oak Ridge were closed as of Friday evening, March 20, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic: maurices, Rack Room Shoes, and Ulta Beauty. Rue21 was open but had announced temporary store hours. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Belk, JCPenney, and several new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge are closed. So is Cinemark Tinseltown Theater. Dick’s Sporting Goods is open for curbside pickup only.

The new stores that are closed include Burkes Outlet, maurices, Rack Room Shoes, T.J.Maxx, and Ulta Beauty.

Electronic Express, PetSmart, and Rue21 were open at last check this weekend, but they have modified hours. (Note: The response to COVID-19 changes rapidly, meaning store operations could change quickly.)

JCPenney said it plans to reopen on April 2. JCPenney said it temporarily closed for the health and safety of customers and employees. The store said it continues to offer service online at jcp.com and through its mobile application.

Cinemark Tinseltown said it is closed until further notice to comply with a local government ordinance. It’s not clear what ordinance that is. You can reach Cinemark by calling (800) 246-3627.

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COVID-19 count up to 371 as Roane, Scott report first cases

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Note: This story was last updated at 2 p.m. March 22.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Tennessee increased to 371 on Saturday, up from 228 on Friday, as Roane County and Scott County reported their first cases.

That’s a 63 percent increase from Friday to Saturday. It followed a 48 percent increase from Thursday to Friday and a 57 percent increase from Wednesday to Thursday.

Anderson County reported its first case of the contagious respiratory illness on Thursday.

The list published by the Tennessee Department of Health at 2 p.m. Central time on Saturday included two cases in Scott County and one case in Roane County. No additional information was immediately available about the three cases.

Cases in Knox County and Campbell County were reported earlier.

There are now COVID-19 cases in 33 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. The largest number of cases is still in Davidson County, which includes Nashville. There are 140 cases there, or about 38 percent of the state’s total. That’s up from 101 cases on Friday.

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Council has special meeting Monday to discuss COVID-19

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The Oak Ridge City Council will have a special meeting at noon Monday to discuss how the city is handling and addressing the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.

The special meeting will be in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom.

To help residents watch the meeting, the meeting will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 12 and will be streamed live by the city at www.oakridgetn.gov/councilstreaming.aspx. The meeting will also be audio- and video-recorded and posted on the city’s website as soon as possible after the meeting, a press release said.

“Due to the Centers for Disease Control advisory of limiting gatherings of 10 or more individuals, the city would encourage residents to watch the meeting through one of the methods provided above,” the press release said.

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