Monday, March 23 coronavirus updates: Clarksville joins cities urging residents to stay home

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a pandemic. Reported illnesses range from very mild to severe, including death. Agencies anticipate widespread transmission will occur in the U.S. in coming months and recommend social distancing among other measures to slow the spread. Call your doctor and stay home if you are sick. Get more information at CDC.gov/coronavirus or contact the Tennessee Department of Health coronavirus information line at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily.

We'll have all the news from Monday, March 23 below — as always, for free, because we want to share this vital information with our community. To support our efforts, consider a digital subscription to the Tennessean. 

Newsletter:  Stay safe and informed with updates on the spread of the coronavirus.

Friday, March 27 updates:State to get up to $3 billion in federal relief

Tennessee cities urge residents to stay home

Gov. Bill Lee mandated Tennessee restaurants and bars limit operations to delivery, take-out and drive-through via an executive order issued Sunday. He has called for gyms to close and for residents to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer people through April 6.

During that same two-week period, Mayor John Cooper has ordered Nashville residents to stay at home unless they are taking care of "essential needs." Only workers in essential roles are instructed to return to their jobs outside of their homes. 

Following on the heels of Davidson County, Knox County issued a "safer at home" order that allows only essential service to remain open in the county. 

The order starts at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday and will last for two weeks, Knox County officials said.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said Monday he would issue another executive order that requires Memphis residents to stay at home, unless they serve an essential service.

Named the "Safer at Home" executive order, the mayor's order will take effect on Tuesday at 6 p.m. 

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke announced Monday that all non-essential businesses must close Wednesday night. 

The city is not directly issuing an order to stay at home, but Berke urged residents to avoid going out for non-essential trips. Public gatherings including worship services, funerals, festivals, fairs and public performances.

Also Monday, Tullahoma, Clarksville and Montgomery County issued similar orders to their residents. La Vergne, in Rutherford County, closed the lobbies of all city buildings. 

U.S. Attorney's office to prosecute fraud

Officials urge Tennessee residents to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 and the March 3 tornado to the federal hotline. 

Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of such fraud schemes.

Anyone suspecting a fraud scheme can reach out to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address disaster@leo.gov.

“Sadly, these unfortunate scenarios present opportunities for low-life fraudsters to prey upon those who are struggling to get through a single day with hopes of returning to a normal life.  We will not allow our current circumstances to become an open door for those who would take advantage of a temporary plight of humanity,' U.S. Attorney Don Cochran said in an emailed release. 

Some examples of these schemes include: 

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus and disaster-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received. 
• Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. 
•  Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.      
   

Nashville sees 184 cases, Tennessee cases climb to 615

The Tennessee Department of Health on Monday afternoon announced it now counts 615 cases of COVID-19 statewide, up from 505 on Sunday.

On Sunday, Davidson County had 164 of the state's reported cases and Williamson County had 53.

A majority of those positive tests (543) took place at commercial or private laboratories. The number of negative tests at commercial and private laboratories was not released.

Of the 983 tests completed at state public health laboratories, 72 tested positive.

The state also confirmed two fatalities. 

Also on Monday, Metro Nashville health officials said the number of reported cases in Nashville had reached 184, up from 179 on Sunday. 

The patients range in age from 11-73,  said Dr. Alex Jahangir, chair of Metro's COVID-19 Task Force.

So far Nashville has had one confirmed fatality related to COVID-19, the first such death reported in the state.

Of the reported cases in Nashville, two people remained hospitalized and 154 people were self-isolating at home with mild to manageable symptoms.

Twenty-seven people have recovered and are now cleared.

Nashville police officer tests positive for COVID-19

A Metro Nashville Police Department officer has tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesman said Monday.

MNPD spokesman Don Aaron said the department was notified Saturday that an officer assigned to the Midtown Hills Precinct had tested positive for the disease caused by the new coronavirus. 

Aaron said the officer had mild or manageable symptoms and on Monday was recovering well at home. 

As a precaution, the Midtown Hills Precinct facility, at 1441 12th Ave South, has been disinfected and cleaned. Two police cars the officer had driven were being disinfected.

The officer’s co-workers were notified of the positive test. As of Monday, none has reported any symptoms, Aaron said.

Domestic violence calls increase, shelters remain open

Calls to the domestic violence crisis hotline operated by the Nashville YWCA jumped 55% in the first two weeks of March over the same time last year as the COVID-19 outbreak reached Nashville this month.

Domestic violence advocates say that victims are at greater risk for violence as increased unemployment and shelter at home directives place victims and perpetrators in constant contact inside homes.

Tennessee’s domestic violence shelters – there are 38 across the state -- are typically at or near capacity year-round, said Kathy Walsh, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Walsh and other advocates are beginning to reach out to hotels, which are experiencing record lows in bookings, to see if rooms could be designated for domestic violence victims.

Nationally, domestic violence agencies are advocating for Congress to include funds for victims and agencies in COVID-19 emergency legislation.

The YWCA Crisis & Support Helpline received 252 calls between March 1 and March 19 this year, compared to 163 hotline calls during the same period last year, according to spokeswoman Michelle Mowery Johnson

The YWCA provided this advice for victims of domestic violence:

If you are in a dangerous/life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1. Police are still responding to calls and the Metro Office of Family Safety/Jean Crowe Advocacy Center staff are still working with victims on orders of protection. Contact the YWCA Crisis & Support Helpline via phone (800-334-4628) or TEXT (615-983-5170) to discuss staying safe while at home/safety planning or to develop a safe exit plan. Every situation is different. The most dangerous time for a woman in a domestic violence situation is when she decides to leave. 

Governor forms COVID-19 Unified Command

Gov. Bill Lee on Monday announced the formation of the COVID-19 Unified Command, an effort to streamline communication between TEMA, the state Department of Health and the state Department of Military.

The group will be led by Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, who is now stepping down from his role leading the Department of Finance and Administration.

Lee said the ongoing pandemic "challenges every aspect of traditional government response in a crisis" and that the new command group will "effectively change the way we attack COVID-19 in Tennessee," but did not provide specifics.

McWhorter has appointed retired Brig. Gen. Scott Brower to serve as chief of staff for the operation. Brower previously served as acting senior commander for the 101st Airborne Division.

“Gov. Lee has urged our team to challenge every barrier and assembling this team is the first step," McWhorter said in a statement.

The command group also includes Patrick Sheehan, TEMA director; Dr. Lisa Piercey, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health; and Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, adjutant general in the Tennessee Department of Military.

Nashville Fire Department adds COVID-19 alerts and info to app

The Nashville Fire Department's app has new COVID-19 alerts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that offer real-time information about the pandemic.

There is also a new COVID-19 icon on the app that allows for more information about Frequently Asked Questions, CDC Travel Notices and a COVID-19 Newsletter.

The NFD App is free and available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It offers quick access to items of public interest.

In just a few clicks, users can:

• Find station locations.
• View current weather conditions and weather forecast.
• Connect to the organization’s social media platforms.
• Read the latest news.
• Request fire reports.
• Pay EMS bills.

Lost your job? Here's who is hiring in greater Nashville

Lost your job in the greater Nashville area due to layoffs associated with the COVID-19 crisis?

You can find updated information about local job openings and opportunities here.

These businesses are open and hiring for immediate work:

• Aldi
• Amazon
• Chick-fil-A
• CVS
• Dollar General
• Dollar Tree
• Domino's
• FedEx
• FedEx Express
• The Heritage at Brentwood
• Jimmy John's
• Kroger
• Papa John's
• Publix
• Sprouts Farmers Markets
• Target
• UPS
• U.S. Census 2020
• USPS
• Walgreen's
• Walmart/Sam's Club

Hiring for deliveries:

• GoPuff/GoDriver
• InstaCart
• Nashville Delivers
• Postmates
• Shipt
• Uber Eats

USDOE grants Tennessee initial testing cancellation waiver

The U.S. Department of Education has granted Tennessee initial approval of a waiver to cancel mandated standardized testing, according to a USDOE spokesman.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced on Friday states submitting a waiver would be allowed to be exempt from the federal testing requirement. Tennessee submitted a waiver on March 16.

The Tennessee General Assembly approved a bill on Thursday to strike state TNReady test requirements and ensure schools, teachers and students aren’t penalized for not taking the test.

In a news release, DeVos said students need to be focused on staying healthy and continuing to learn.

“Teachers need to be able to focus on remote learning and other adaptations,” she said. “Neither students nor teachers need to be focused on high-stakes tests during this difficult time. Students are simply too unlikely to be able to perform their best in this environment.”

Nashville, state services move to appointment-only status

Metro Nashville announced Monday its Election Commission's main office and satellite office are closed until further notice.

"Our staff is working from home, so please email us at vote.questions@nashville.gov and we will respond as soon as possible," Metro posted online.

Candidates for the Aug. 6 state primary, county general, and Oak Hill municipal elections should email joan.nixon@nashville.gov to request a nominating petition or to receive instructions for returning a completed petition before the April 2 noon deadline.

Starting Monday, Metro Water Services (MWS) will only take payments by appointment.

Appointments will be scheduled between 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For convenience and safety, MWS will also accept credit card payments. To pay by credit card, call at 615-862-4084 on Tuesday or Friday between 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

To schedule an appointment to make a payment for permits, capacity fees and all other development related fees call 615-862-4084 or email MWS.DS@nashville.gov.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services announced the agency has decided to move to appointment only for in-person services beginning Monday.

Local offices will have employees available to respond to questions or applications via telephone. Customers can find the number to their local office by visiting the DHS website. Davidson County’s office can be reached at 615-532-4000 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.  

Changes will remain in effect indefinitely for offices in each Tennessee county until the COVID-19 state of emergency is reduced. No issuance of benefits will be impacted as a result of these office closures.

Book'em book services canceled

Book'em, which provides Nashville's economically disadvantaged children with books, is no longer able to provide books at Metro Schools distribution sites, Metro Schools announced Monday.

The move is due to facility access issues as a result of COVID-19 closures, Metro Schools announced.

"We are working with them on a solution for future days," Metro Schools posted on Twitter.