White County has experienced leap in positive COVID-19 tests

Walmart and Walgreens require masks for patrons effective July 20

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White County, which offers free COVID-19 virus testing at both the fairgrounds and the health department, saw a spike in the confirmed positive tests, on July 15.

White County’s number of confirmed cases of the virus that have been the focus for most of the year have climbed slowly over the past few months, with the number of active cases only seeing minor influxes and then, at times, even decreasing as patients are reported as recovered.

That changed, on July 15, when White County reported 116 confirmed cases, with 50 of those being active. These numbers were significantly higher than those reported the day before as 29 active cases and a total of 94 confirmed cases in the county.

“According to the health department, the number of people being tested is increasing,” White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said. “I know this is our biggest one-day jump. It was also the biggest jump in testing.”

Robinson said the 23 newly-confirmed cases came as the result of over 200 White County residents being tested to determine if they had contracted the virus.

“Continue to be safe and protect at-risk groups,” Robinson said as he encouraged the White County community.

While Robinson, who as county executive has been granted the power by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to determine whether mask wearing should be mandated within White County, has not issued an order to require masks be worn when in public spaces. However, some larger retailers are taking it upon themselves to require their patrons to wear masks when visiting their stores.

Locally, as per a new corporate policy, Walmart and Walgreens will begin requiring that shoppers wear a mask as of July 20, and Kroger, Lowe’s, Publix, Kohl’s and CVS, all located in Putnam County, will be requiring the same.

In addition, the Tennessee Supreme Court recently issued an order requiring masks be worn in all courts across the state.

At this time, there is no county-wide mandate for face coverings or masks in White County.   

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