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Knox County officials looking into residency of new COVID-19 death

The unidentified person died here in the county. But medical authorities aren't sure where the person is from.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knox County Health Department is investigating the circumstances behind the death of a fifth person from COVID-19 before including that person among the county's victims, the department director said Thursday.

Dr. Martha Buchanan disclosed Thursday at the daily department briefing that the person had died. Not counting that person's passing, the county says four people so far have succumbed to complications from the highly contagious virus.
Three of the four victims were in their 80s or 90s. A 63-year-old man also has died.

No details about the fifth person have been released. 

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Buchanan said medical authorities aren't sure where the person is from. That could factor in to whether the person is considered a local resident or someone who was visiting here from out of the area.

The Tennessee Department of Health may include the person's death in figures it releases Thursday afternoon, she said.

"The Department of Health gets a large volume of information, and then local jurisdictions look into those," she said.

The county so far has had 152 positive cases of the coronavirus. That's up 6 cases from Wednesday. There have been 106 "recoveries" so far. The county has seen 19 hospitalizations for patients sickened by the virus, according to figures.

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Buchanan also announced Thursday that the county department would ramp up testing availability starting Monday. Private clinics also are beginning to offer on-site testing to meet testing needs.

The director said people can contact the department to set up an appointment if they think they have the virus. Call 865-215-5555 if you need more information.

On Thursday, WBIR reported that state officials including TEMA had decided an overflow site at the Knoxvlle Expo Center would no longer be needed. Plans were announced last week for the center, and Gov. Bill Lee visited Knoxville on Friday to talk about it.

Records show the slowing spread of the virus appears to be working and is prompting the state to "stand down" on extra efforts to prepare the center for a surge.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, however, is still eyeing the old Knoxville Center mall as a potential place for extra capacity to house people with the virus if needed. County health professionals want to keep that option open.

Buchanan referred questions about the decision-making involved in the sites to state and federal agencies.

The state was looking at setting up 350 beds at the Expo Center on Clinton Highway.

It is going forward with plans to use overflow centers in Nashville and Memphis, records indicate.

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