PARIS, TN – As stated in a prior release earlier today, HCMC is dedicated to providing truthful, transparent information and report information to necessary sources as required by law. With that, HCMC is now treating its first patient with COVID-19.

The patient was a known positive COVID-19 patient from another county in TN who needed care at our facility. The patient has been admitted and is in an isolation room within our facility. All precautions were taken when the patient arrived for care and staff is following all guidelines to ensure their safety, the safety of the patient, and the organization and community.

HCMC is working with the TN Department of Health on the case and is following all recommended protocol from them on this case.

As of today, Friday, March 27, Henry County is still reporting no positive cases of COVID-19. To date, HCMC has collected 72 test samples that have been sent to commercial and state labs for testing. This is only the test that HCMC has done with inpatients, through the Emergency Room, or through our drive through located outside the Emergency Department. This does not include any tests collected at other facilities, provider offices, or the health department, just those completed at HCMC.

Again, if you believe you meet the criteria for the coronavirus including having the symptoms, traveling outside the United States or in the domestic hot spots associated with COVID – 19, or being in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please call your primary care provider to arrange for medical evaluation and testing. If you present to our Emergency Department without a provider order for testing, you will be registered as an ER patient and be treated and charged as an ER patient, as well as masked and isolated. If you have an order for testing from your provider, you will be instructed to park in the ER parking lot and a clinical staff member will come out and do the testing through our outpatient lab services.

How you can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as Coronavirus:

Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard in a trash.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

HCMC is making every effort to educate and inform the public on ways to remain healthy through our website and our social media outlets, including specifically rigorous and frequent hand washing. Please check back often for updates including a section dedicated to COVID-19. For additional information, watch a video from our Community Pop Up event on coronavirus here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-iA5IPc4G8&t=3s

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health care provider. To learn more, go to our website at www.hcmc-tn.org or go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 8 provider clinics in various specialties. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.