NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health encourages Tennessee nursing homes to apply for funding for aids to facilitate in-person visitation in compliance with COVID19 safety guidelines. TDH recognizes the difficult challenges long-term care facilities have faced in protecting vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 response and developed Tennessee Long Term Care Facility Guidance to reunite these residents and their families in a safe and disciplined manner.

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group will open drive through COVID-19 testing sites in each of Tennessee’s grand divisions Saturday, Oct. 31 in an ongoing effort to curb rising case rates in Tennessee’s rural areas.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is currently accepting applications for funding opportunities to help build and support healthy communities. TDH Healthy Active Built Environments grants serve as a catalyst for publicly accessible physical activity and healthy eating opportunities. These are competitive funding opportunities.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health invites all Tennesseans to celebrate Child Health Month this October! This annual event focuses on positively impacting the lives of children and their families by promoting physical, social and emotional health.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health today announced the state’s infrastructure plan for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines once they become available. TDH in coordination with other state and local agencies submitted an initial draft of the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for Tennessee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on October 16, 2020.

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group will open drive through COVID-19 testing sites in three counties Saturday, Oct. 24 to address rising case rates in Tennessee’s rural areas.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee’s Unified Command Group today announced the launch of a new website to provide COVID-19 data, additional health information and relevant updates to Tennesseans. The site is now available at COVID19.tn.gov.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture are partnering to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies by distributing oral rabies vaccine for raccoons across Tennessee’s borders with Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. The annual baiting program is administered by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services and will begin in Tennessee on October 6, 2020.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health today announced receipt of a $750,000 funding award for suicide prevention efforts over the next five years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program includes a focus on vulnerable populations at increased risk for suicide. This funding will provide a comprehensive public health approach based on data and science to address risk factors that contribute to suicide.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee’s Unified Command Group today announced three new initiatives to enhance the well-being and quality of life of Tennesseans in long-term health care facilities. These efforts include expanding options for visitation, relaxing restrictions for resident interactions within LTCFs and the formation of the Tennessee COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force.

NASHVILLE – Today’s COVID-19 case count for Tennessee includes an increase of 645 new total cases. This is the result of a low volume of lab reports received during the Labor Day holiday weekend.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is improving the format for sharing of data on COVID-19 to update how some metrics are calculated and reflect evolving knowledge of the pandemic. The new format will begin September 3, 2020 and reflect a change in how active cases are calculated and a correction in county of residence for some cases.

NASHVILLE – Today’s COVID-19 case count for Tennessee will include an increase in 1,818 new total cases. Of this number, there are 965 positive cases associated with the South Central Correctional Facility in Wayne County. This report of cases also contributes to the high positivity rate for the day. Additional questions about COVID-19 cases associated with this facility should be directed to the Tennessee Department of Correction.

Tennesseans are pausing this last day of August with people around the world to remember, reflect, and recover from the effects of overdose.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As children head into a new school year, make sure vaccination is at the top of your checklist! During National Immunization Awareness Month this August, the Tennessee Department of Health encourages parents and caregivers to talk with your doctor, nurse or other health care professional to ensure everyone in your family is up to date on recommended vaccines.