LINCOLN COUNTY, Tennessee — Lincoln County, Tennessee, Mayor Bill Newman tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, December 21, his office confirmed to WZDX.
Newman's secretary said he has been quarantining at home with his family with minor symptoms and is able to work from home.
In Lincoln County, masks are optional and there is no statewide mask mandate in Tennessee despite spikes in cases.
Newman had previously said he believes "masking helps prevent the spread," but he is waiting on the "Holy Spirit" to guide him in his decision regarding a mask mandate.
In November, WZDX spoke with Newman about his mask policy.
“I will continue to urge people to wear masks. I absolutely believe masking works and will continue to message that to the community,” Newman said on November 25.
As of Sunday, December 20, there are 7,904 positive COVID-19 test results per 100,000 residents out of 46,988 COVID-19 tests per 100,000 residents in Lincon County, according to the state coronavirus dashboard.
In total, the state has a total of 519,687 cases of COVID-19, 6,071 total COVID-19 related deaths and 2,789 current hospitalizations, according to data available as of 2:50 p.m. on December 21.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
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