GALLATIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Gallatin and Sumner County officials urged residents to wear face coverings as more and more people test positive for COVID-19 within the county.
Officials made their plea next to a sign that featured a heart with a mask on it and read "Wearing is Caring."
The county has seen 8 new deaths and 35 new hospitalizations due to the virus. On Tuesday the county saw an increase of 46 cases, which Sumner County EMS Chief Greg Miller said was the largest one-day spike the county has seen - with the exception of the day an entire nursing home was tested back in March.
“We want people to understand that the more people follow these recommendations, the quicker we can turn this thing around," said Chief Miller. "I personally have a friend that's in the COVID ICU now, young, a person of good health, but they've been struggling."
Miller explained that on at least three separate occasions Sumner Regional Medical Center has gone into COVID-19 diversion because the COVID-19 area of the hospital was full.
"This is one of my favorite holidays - the 4th of July - we celebrate our nation. It's summertime. We like to get out. We like to socialize. That's what it's all about being American, enjoying celebrating our freedoms. But our liberty and freedom is in jeopardy," said Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt. "I think it's vitally important that the message is sent out that we all are responsible. We share the air."
