Hamilton County held a media briefing on Oct. 6 to announce the extension of the mask mandate to Nov. 22.
“I’m asking today of our Health Department again to issue another directive, we want this directive in place for the next 45 days [from Oct. 9] which will push it out to Nov. the 22nd,” said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger at the media briefing.
According to Hamilton County Health Directive No. 3, the county will continue to require that all persons, over the age of 12 years old, wear a face covering or mask that covers both the nose and mouth. Masks must be worn inside and outside at all public and private establishments.
A complete list of rules and exceptions can be found on the Hamilton County Health Department’s website.
In an Oct. 8 press release from the Hamilton County Health Department, the number of COVID-19 related deaths has surpassed 100.
“It is with deep sadness and respect that we honor these 101 lives that have been lost,” said Health Department Administrator Becky Barnes, “These are not just numbers or statistics. Each one of these deaths represents a very real and painful loss to family and friends as well as to our community.”
According to the Health Department website, there were 10,499 total cases of COVID-19 and 101 COVID-19 related deaths in Hamilton County as of Oct. 9.
Hamilton County offers free COVID-19 testing at the Alstom Plant located at 1125 Riverfront Parkway everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., no appointment necessary. Testing is also available at the Homeless Healthcare Center located in downtown Chattanooga, at 730 E. 11th Street, from Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, according to the Health Department website. For more information, call the COVID-19 hotline at (423) 209-8383 or visit the Hamilton County Health Department website at health.hamiltontn.org/AllServices/Coronavirus(COVID-19).aspx.
