CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An employee of the Clarksville Transit System (CTS) has tested positive for COVID-19, the City of Clarksville announced Friday.
Per Clarksville's city policy, the health and safety manager has begun contact tracing. Officials say these efforts indicated there were no close contacts with other CTS employees.
Those who aren't CTS employees who may have come into contact with the individual have been identified. They are being notified and asked to follow CDC guidelines for possible exposure.
This is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 among CTS's nearly 100 employees.
Before the CTS employee tested positive, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CTS implemented an ongoing operating plan calling for masks, temperature checks, stepping up cleaning efforts and practicing social distancing.
CTS operates Clarksville's public transportation network, which includes bus routes and paratransit vans.
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
