LOCAL NEWS — Moore County has reported only four a new, confirmed COVID-19 case since last Wednesday and our active case count is down to just 12, as of Sunday afternoon. That’s good news for Lynchburg and so is the state’s plan to move Tennessee into the next vaccination phase.
Last week, the Tennessee Department of Health announced that Moore County would advance into age -based phase 65+ and risk-based phase 1b, which includes teachers, child care staff, and those who work in first responder operations centers.
“Tennessee has administered more than one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far, and we’ve made substantial progress in protecting our senior citizens who are over age 70 through vaccination,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “While we remain focused on our seniors, who are the highest-risk population, we’re able to expand vaccine eligibility to these additional groups as our supply continues to grow each week.”
Citizens 65 and older can get vaccinated now
This means that on Monday, February 22 Moore County citizens age 65 and older can book a vaccine appointment online at covid19.tn.gov. The new Tennessee COVID-19 vaccine registration page looks very different from the previous vaccine “priority waiting list” page but it accomplishes the same thing.
“The registration takes a little longer, but it’s not too bad. You basically answer the questions that you would have been asked when you arrived for your vaccine,” Metro Mayor Bonnie Lewis stated on the county’s social media page on Friday. “There are a few health questions and then you choose where you would like get your shot and you pick your time.”
Mayor Lewis says those without Internet at home or who have difficulty navigating the new website can call the Moore County Health Department for assistance at 931-759-4251.
Teacher vaccinations will begin soon
Last Wednesday the state’s revised plan moved teachers and other child care staff up in vaccination priority list. This means that Moore County school system teachers and staff could expect to receive vaccinations soon including all teachers and staff at Lynchburg Elementary, Moore County Middle School, and Moore County High School.
Mayor Lewis said the school system and the local health department will begin working on a plan to make those vaccinations happen but those details are not yet final.
The new phase also includes folks who support Moore County first responders such as Metro dispatchers.
If you would like to keep up with Moore County’s daily COVID-19 case or vaccination numbers visit covid19.tn.gov. If you have questions about those numbers or getting the vaccine, call the local health department at 931-759-4251. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover 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.}