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Video Credit: WDEF CBS Chattanooga, TN
Published on April 4, 2020 -
7 A Block 040320

7 A Block 040320

We're learning more about the coronavirus cases in our area, and how they're linked.

And, in tonight's health watch, we explain the new face covering recommendations, and why health officials changed their minds about them.

"prime news at 7.

Your news starts now."

Good evening, i'm emily cassulo.

Welcome to prime news at 7.

We're practicing "social distancing," so john will be with you at 11.

We're seeing more coronavirus cases in hamilton county.

Officials reported five new positive cases today, bringing the total to 68.

Three more people have died - all 65 and older.

The good news - health department officials say six people have recovered from the virus.

They're still urging people to stay home because some cases are connected.

"twenty cases are epi linked, that means twenty cases of the 68 have been able to identify a source who was positive for covid 19."

Tennessee governor bill lee held his daily briefing at the utc university center today.

The governor met with hamilton county mayor jim coppinger, chattanooga mayor andy berke and other local leaders to see assess how the area is handling covid- 19.

Governor lee says tennessee is one of the leading states in testing.

However, he he spoke with the officials here in hamilton county to see how testing numbers could increase in chattanooga.

Governor lee says the state has the capacity to test larger numbers, but it's all about coordinating with the local efforts like hospitals and health departments to get those tests to the public.

The coronavirus death toll rose to 37 in tennessee today.

Governor lee says tennesseeans need to take this virus seriously.

Bill lee: "it is so important for every single tennessean to heed the guidance.

It's so important for people to do their part, to stay at home, to stay apart, to socially distance, whatever that means for you and however you can make that happen, we need to make that happen because the lives of tennesseeans depend on you doing that."

Governor lee issued a "safer at home" requirement thursday.

That order lists six pages worth of jobs and activities considered "essential."

For a full list, g to our website, wdef-dot-com.

Governor bill lee is preparing for positive coronavirus numbers to peak in the third week of this month.

During a press conference, the governor announced temporary medical centers would be built in four cities across the state, including in chattanooga.

Tema and governor lee have selected the chattanooga convention center to house the patients.

The temporary medical centers are for positive covid-19 patients who are sick enough to need a hospital, but not critical care.

-"this accelerates our efforts to work with the u.s army corps of engineers and expands our state wide capacity by an additional 7,000 beds.

The corps of engineers is working for fema and in partnership with our state in responding to this crisis."

The temporary medical hospital will be set up in their main banquet hall.

They're expecting to have 350 beds.

They'll start building nashville's temporary hospital first, and will expand across the state as needed.

Drive-thru testing also started in hamilton county today.

The hamilton county health department tested 24 people.

They sent the tests to the baylor school, and results should be ready in 4 hours.

They hope to increase the number of tests next week.

The free drive thru will be held on monday, wednesday and friday at the driving testing facility on bonnyshire drive.

You need to be referred by your doctor.

One u.s. company is speaking out after president trump invoked the defense production act against them.

Meanwhile, a major component of the phase 3 stimulus bill hit a few bumps as it went online today.

Skyler henry is at the white house with more.

At a meeting with energy c-e-os... the president joked when asked about a new white house policy that requires a rapid covid-19 test.

For anyone who comes into close contact with him or the vice president.

"would anybody like to be tested?

How about you?

You want to be tested?

Thursday, president trump invoked the defense production act against 3m - demanding the company stop exporting n95 respirator masks.

"hopefully they'll be able to do what they're supposed to do."

3m pushed back in a statement, saying the order could have "significant humanitarian implications" and that other countries could be compelled to retaliate.

The white house is also expected to issue new guidelines soon on americans wearing face coverings.

"i don't think they'll be mandatory because some people don't want to do that."

"the 350-billion-dollar paycheck protection program rolled out friday -- to help small business owners and their employees weather the fallout from the pandemic."

But some major banks say they need more federal guidance before processing loan applications.

"for heaven sakes.

We're in constant touch with these banks.

So i just, i'll look into it myself.

The treasury says the first direct payments to americans will begin in two weeks.

Skyler henry, cbs news, the white house.

The nation's unemployment rate jumped from point-nine, to more than four-percent in march.

In tonight's consumer watch report, we learn those numbers even miss the massive coronavirus closures that swept the country in the 2nd half of the month.

That's tonight on news 12 now at 11.

More than six million americans filed for unemployment last week alone.

Georgia says their jobless claims also broke all their previous records.

Georgia had nearly 134- thousand claims for unemployment benefits last week.

That's ten times more than the week before.

Georgia labor officials say those numbers virtually represent entire sectors of the economy being shut down.

Delta airlines is giving its customers more time to rebook, if they need to cancel their flight.

Delta's tickets normally expire a year after you buy them, but the carrier announced today it's giving travelers through may 20-22 to use the credit for future flights.

This move is the latest sign that airlines expect this decline in travel to linger for awhile.

Newer tickets bought since march first can be changed without a fee for up to a year from the date of purchase.

Dunkin' is extending it's free donut friday promotion!

It was originally only supposed to run in march.

Every friday this month, the company is giving free donuts to members of it's rewards program if they purchase a drink.

Dunkin' says it wants to bring a little extra joy at the end of each week right now.

The hamilton county baptist association is collecting non- perishable food items for the city of chattanooga.

It's specifically for people in low income neighborhoods who have limited access to food.

107 churches so far have come together to start collecting food items for these people.

They'd like donations to be brought to the hamilton county baptist association office.

It's located on south access road.

If you're planning to donate, they're asking you to call them first.

"because of their financial situation in life, they're not able to afford to stock up on their pantries like most of us have.

We're taking only non-perishable items. people can give to the hamilton county baptist association, they can come and drop off canned goods and maybe some dried food items. if you cannot get access to canned goods, they are also accepting monetary donations.

A local i-t company is also giving back.

Mike collins and associates is donating 150 meals to night- shift nurses at erlanger hospital today.

The box lunches include a sandwich, chips and cookie from jersey mikes.

Mike collins: "i hope it kind of gives them a pat on the back, saying, 'we're behind you.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you're doing.

We understand that you're leaving your family, your children, your spouses at home and coming to spend in the gap for us, and we just want to say thank you."

Collins hopes other small businesses will follow in m-c-a's footsteps by donating and supporting first responders, medical staff and essential workers, helping to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

The chattanooga ballet company is now offering free ballet classes online to keep people moving while they're stuck at home.

You can find them on their youtube channel.

Classes run monday through friday, with different ones each day for all age groups and skill levels.

The company says it's important to still keep dancing during this crisis.

"ballet is in a way, a very unnatural thing that you're asking your body to do,and if you don't have the consistency of doing it, the ability to maintain it or to be able to come back and return at the level that you were.

It's just not going to be realistic...we love the idea that our kids can gather with kids all over and they can see their teachers, and they can have a moment and a time to enjoy dance... we have classes for creative movement, pre- ballet, and then our beginner adult and what we call our silver swans, that's our 65 and older group."

For a look at their class schedule, go to the chattanooga ballet company's website.

And we had great weather today to do some dancing outside.

No rain dance though.

Let's head over to chief meteorologist patrick core with a first look at your forecast.

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