Tennessee has 100 confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases as of 6:33 a.m. Thursday, according to the interactive maps from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering in Maryland at Johns Hopkins University and the World Health Organization (http://bit.ly/COVID19epidemicglobalcases). There were 9,415 cases in the United States, with 150 deaths. Globally, there have been a total 222,642 people confirmed to have or had COVID-19.
Gov. Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts around COVID-19 relief Wednesday. Here are the updates and reminders (from TN.gov) which highlight Lee’s Wednesday briefing:
State Employee Workforce
Currently, 15,000 state employees are working from home through the state’s Alternative Workplace Solutions (AWS) program.
- The Department of Human Resources is rapidly acquiring resources to place another 8,400 employees on AWS which will bring the total to more than approximately 23,400 employees.
- 37% of Tennessee’s state employee workforce performs functions that cannot transition to AWS, and we continue to double down on efforts to keep these employees safe at work in the wake of COVID-19.
FY21 Budget Amendment
The Lee Administration presented an amended budget proposal to the General Assembly Wednesday. That amended budget can be viewed here.
- The budget amendment has changed to address a lower growth rate of 2.5% for the current year (includes an additional $350 million in the Rainy-Day fund to ensure Tennessee remains prepared and continues to fully fund obligations such as the BEP, growth in TennCare and other liabilities.)
- A new $150 million fund for health and safety issues resulting from COVID-19 has also been established.
Grocery & Food Supply Chain
- Gov. Lee spoke with the Grocers Association Wednesday and confirmed the strength of the supply chain.
- Lee said Tennesseans should grocery shop as they normally would before the COVID-19 pandemic and should avoid stockpiling or hoarding.
- While the food supply chain is strong, Tennessee grocers are in need of additional employees, and those seeking employment are encouraged to apply.
Administration Actions for Targeted Relief
Small Business Support
- The Lee Administration has submitted a request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Once the declaration is made, all Tennessee small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have suffered economic injury as a result of COVID-19 will be eligible to apply for disaster loan assistance of up to $2 million per applicant.
- Small businesses who are ready to explore these efforts can visit www.SBA.gov. Additional information can be found here.
Medical Supplies Capacity
- The Tennessee Department of Health is working in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Military and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to aggressively pursue every available avenue for medical supplies and personal protective equipment.
- The Lee Administration authorized the order of an additional 570 ventilators to support Tennessee hospitals that may need additional capacity.
- The administration said it will also continue to work with FEMA to pursue supply kits that the federal government is making available.
- Tennesseans can also help to provide a critical supply need by donating blood. Red Cross blood donation locations can be found here.