NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.

Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live each day this week at 3 p.m. CDT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.

Key Updates

Tornado Disaster Recovery

FEMA has approved Tennessee’s disaster declaration for the remaining counties. All affected counties are now covered: Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Putnam, Smith and Wilson. Additional information can be found here.

Administration Actions

CDC Funding

The CDC has pledged $10 million for Tennessee’s efforts to fight COVID-19. Tennessee has purchased additional testing capacity and supplies per guidance from the CDC.

In looking at the testing response of other states, Tennessee continues to be a proportional leader compared to states much larger in the region.

Child Care and Human Services

The Department of Human Services has deployed on the $10 million emergency response and recovery grants for existing child care facilities. A church, gym, or non-profit can open an emergency temporary child care facility by registering with the Department of Human Services. Additional information can be found here.

Gov. Lee has directed the Department of Human Services to personally reach out to each existing child care facility in the state to help organizations secure supplies.

Current Department of Health Testing Results (as of 2 p.m. 3/25)

Laboratory Type

Positive Test

Negative Tests

Total

State PH Lab

84

1,031

1,115

Non-State PH Lab

700

9,981

10,681

Total

784

11,012

11,796

For more information on COVID-19 in Tennessee, please visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s website here. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/25/2020-6:15PM)