Coronavirus in Hamilton County

Coronavirus in Hamilton County

I'm john mercer.

Thanks for joining us for news 12 now at 11.

Hamilton county officals confirm the first case of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a local church identifies one of their own for the virus.

That's tonight's top local story.

St.

Paul's episcipal church in chattanooga says one of their leaders has been diagnosed with covid-19.

A statement from the church says father brad whitaker was being treated for pneumonia after going to a conference in louisville last month.

But when it was found that someone at the conference had contracted coronavirus, father whitaker was tested and confirmed to have the illness.

The news comes after hamilton county mayor jim coppinger announced in a press conference one positive case.

Two people have gotten negative results.

Hamilton county mayor jim coppinger: "we've been preparing for this and now we will put into place our implementation of our plans that a number of people have been working on."

The chattanooga- hamilton county health department is urging people who are at risk to stay at home including people over 60, those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women.

Chattanooga-hamilton county health department health officer dr. paul hendricks: "if you do need to go out, avoid crowds, try to keep at least 6 feet between you and others and avoid anyone who is sick."

The health department also discussed home readiness supplies.

Chattanooga-hamilton county health department administrator becky barnes: "there are no concerns that food and medication won't be available.

We just want you to have these things in your home if you need them.

So you won't have to go out if you are sick or in quarantine."

Officials want the public to know that people with severe illnesses like cancer need to continue to show up for treatments.

They also say that they do not see any evidence of community spread of the coronavirus.

They say the person that did test positive was tested earlier this week and got results this morning.

He is isolated at home.

For the latest on coronavirus, you can check out our website, wdef dot com.

The chattanooga