Sullivan County mask mandate extended to April 30

Both Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable and Medical Director Dr. Stephen May cited a lack of progress in stopping the COVID-19 spread as a major factor in extending the county’s mask mandate until April 30th.

Wednesday’s announcement had a high spot with the county announcing 73 percent of residents over the age of 70 have received their vaccine.

The remainder of the report was not positive with Sullivan County currently ranked fifth in Tennessee in terms of case positivity rate and the presence of the COVID variant found in the United Kingdom.

The report cited an uptick in hospitalization from the virus and future concerns on spread following spring break in county schools that is taking place this week.

(IMAGE: M. Baumeister / Unsplash)