The Tennessee Department of Health released new COVID-19 case counts on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Tennessee now reports 10,366 (a 314 more than the previous day). Our state has now experienced 195 deaths (seven more since yesterday). According to the state, 5,140 COVID-19 patients have recovered. That’s around 50 percent of reported cases. As of today, 168,549 of Tennessee’s 6.8 million residents have been tested. Here’s the top five things you need to know for today:

1 | Moore County gained it’s fourth confirmed COVID 19 case today. According to Metro Mayor Bonnie Lewis, that patient is a resident at the Lynchburg Nursing Center. (Editor’s Note: We’ll give a full report on that later today.)

2 | Governor reverses his course on hair salons. After stating that hair salons and barbershops would need to remain closed until May 29 in Executive Order 30, the Governor’s office reversed course today during a teleconference with members of the General Assembly. Those businesses may now open May 6.

3 | Churches may open. Religious services, weddings, and funerals are not considered “social gatherings” according to Executive Order 30 and are permitted but the Governor “strongly encourages” places of worship and public celebrations to follow social distancing guidelines.

4 | Restaurants are open (with conditions) and take-out alcohol sales by restaurant can continue. The state will continue to allow to-go alcohol sales for off site consumption if it’s accompanied by a food purchase.

5 | Parts of Northgate Mall will re-open today. Today, retail and shopping malls got the green light to re-open. Northgate Mall in Tullahoma announced via social media that Hibbets and Burkes will operate with a limited in store customer count.

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}