DeKalb County’s Number of Active COVID-19 Cases Continues to Surge

December 15, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s number of active COVID-19 cases continues to surge.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, DeKalb County recorded 55 new cases Monday, December 14 bringing the total number of active cases to 366, up from 233 on Friday, December 11.

Twenty five people with COVID 19 have died in DeKalb County within the last nine months and 34 have been hospitalized. The total number of confirmed or probable cases of COVID 19 in DeKalb County since March stands at 1,661 and 1,270 are now inactive or have recovered.

At last report, DeKalb County had the highest COVID-19 infection rate among Tennessee counties (per capita) at 212.6 per 100,000 residents and the 40th highest in the nation according to COVID ACT Now (CAN).

(Click link below to view CAN report on DeKalb County)
https://www.covidactnow.org/us/tennessee-tn/county/de_kalb_county?

COVID Act Now is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides local-level disease intelligence and data analysis on the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. CAN provides open-source tools, a realtime U.S. COVID risk map by state and county, and information for pandemic response and assists partners ranging from local county health departments to multinational corporations in developing COVID response plans.

According to CAN, Tennessee and DeKalb County are currently experiencing a severe outbreak of COVID-19 and warns that all precautions should be taken to avoid exposure.

Over the last seven days, (December 8 to December 14) DeKalb County had a case count of 305 for a daily case rate of 212.6 per 100,000 residents.

Over the last 14 days, (December 1-14) DeKalb County’s case count was 457 for a daily case rate of 159.3 per 100,000 residents. That is up from the 14 day period of November 16-29 when the case count was 202 for a daily case rate of 70.4 per 100,000 residents.

For the 14 days prior (November 17-30), the case count was 212 for a daily case rate of 73.9 per 100, 000 residents.

From March 5 to December 14, DeKalb County has had a total of 1,661 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 for a daily case rate of 29.3 per 100,000 residents.

Over the last 7 days DeKalb County has averaged 139.3 tests per day (679.8 tests per 100,000 residents) and over the last 7 days the average percent positive was 27.2 %.

(Click Link Below for DeKalb County Report)
https://covid19.tn.gov/data/dashboards/?County=Dekalb

Starting the week of December 21st the DeKalb County Health Department will be changing COVID-19 testing times. Testing will be only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am-12:30pm. The DeKalb Health Department will be closed December 24th,25th, 31st, and January 1st for the holidays.

Three Important Ways to Slow the Spread:

Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you, and avoid crowds.

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

How to Protect Yourself When Going Out:

Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others. Masks offer some protection to you and may protect those around you if you are unknowingly infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Choose a mask with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that fits snugly against the sides of your face.

Stay 6 feet apart and avoid crowds.

The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
Avoid indoor spaces as much as possible, particularly ones that aren’t well ventilated.
You may find it harder to stay 6 feet apart in indoor spaces.

Wash your hands often.

Use soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

What to Do If You’re Sick:

Stay home except to get medical care. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and recover at home without medical care.

Isolate yourself from other members of your family to prevent spread to them and the people that they may have contact with, like grandparents.

If you have to leave isolation, wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart from others, wash your hands frequently, and clean all touched surfaces.

Even if you don’t feel sick, you can spread COVID-19 to others. Be sure that you protect everyone as though they are the most fragile person in your family.

Get care immediately if you are having emergency warning signs, like trouble breathing, pain or pressure in chest.

What Symptoms to Watch For:

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are

Fever
Cough
Headaches
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Nausea
Diarrhea

Other symptoms are signs of serious illness. If someone has trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, or difficulty staying awake, get medical care immediately.

December 15, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville woman who admitted to stealing roses from a grave has been cited for misdemeanor theft under $1,000.

39 year old Sherri Gunter of Jacobs Pillar Road will appear in General Sessions Court January 21.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on December 2 his office received a report that someone had stolen flowers from a grave at DeKalb Cemetery on Highway 56. The deceased had just been buried shortly before the theft and family members noticed the roses were gone and reported it.

During an investigation Gunter was questioned and she admitted to taking the roses from the grave.

32 year old Steffanie Renee Thomas of Crestview Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $3,500.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 11 a deputy responded to Crestview Drive due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Thomas who said that she and her husband had been arguing and that she had slapped him in the face cutting his lip. After shoving him into the shower, he got up and grabbed Thomas by the throat before shoving her into a wall. Thomas again shoved her husband and he then grabbed her around the neck. Thomas was determined to have been the primary aggressor.

December 14, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Due to a COVID-19 outbreak among court staff and officers, in-person proceedings in all DeKalb County Courts are being temporarily suspended from the close of business Tuesday, December 15 to Monday, January 18.

Ronald Thurman, Chancellor and Presiding Judge in the 13th Judicial District and Gary McKenzie, Criminal Court Judge and Presiding District Judge Pro Temp signed the order Monday, December 14.

Under the court’s order, “All in-person proceedings in all state and local courts in DeKalb County, including, but not limited to, municipal, juvenile, general sessions, and state trial courts are hereby suspended from the close of business Tuesday, December 15, 2020 until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18. 2021”.

“The judiciary of this district has monitored developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic closely. In recognition of an outbreak among court staff and officers, and consistent with the obligations imposed by the Tennessee Supreme Court’s order of March 25, 2020, the undersigned (Chancellor Thurman and Judge McKenzie) deem it necessary and appropriate at this time to take temporary measures to balance the interests of justice with the interests of public health,” the order stated.

According to Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin, if you were scheduled for a Wednesday or Thursday appearance in General Sessions Court between December 15 and January 18 your new court date is Wednesday January 20 and Thursday, January 21.

If you were scheduled to be in Criminal Court before Judge Gary McKenzie on January 13 your new court date is February 19.

The DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerks Office remains open weekdays between December 15 and January 18 except for December 23-25 and January 1.

Martin asks that if you need services from the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office but have been tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone within the past 10 days who has had a positive test, please do not enter the courthouse. Call the office at 615-597-5711 or take advantage of the online services at http://www.dekalbtennessee.com/circuitcourtclerk.html

The temporary suspension order provides for a few exceptions.

The following in-person proceedings shall continue as scheduled:

“Proceedings necessary to protect the constitutional rights of criminal defendants, including bond related matters and plea agreements for incarcerated individuals;

Proceedings related to relief from abust, including but not limited to orders of protection;

Proceedings related to emergency child custody orders;

Department of Children’s Services emergency matters related to child protection;

Proceedings related to petitions for temporary injunctive relief;

Proceedings related to emergency mental health orders;

Proceedings related to emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons;

Other exceptions as approved by the presiding judge of the 13th Judicial District”.

Judges’ offices and court clerks offices shall remain open during this temporary suspension. Physical access to these offices is hereby restricted during the suspension of proceedings contemplated by this order, though offices shall remain accessible by telephone.

Judges shall work with local law enforcement and other county officials to ensure that, to the extent possible, courthouses remain accessible to carry out essential constitutional functions and time sensitive proceedings.

Under the terms of this order, the courts of DeKalb County remain open consistent with the Judicial Branch’s obligation to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19.”