The Hamilton County Health Department is notifying the public of a potential COVID-19 exposure at the visitation service of Edwin Baggett, held at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy on Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. Case investigations revealed that an individual attended the service during their infectious period of COVID-19.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Baggett,” says Hamilton County Health Department Administrator Becky Barnes.
“It is instances such as these that remind us how difficult this pandemic has been for our community.”
Per the CDC, those that have been in close contact (within six feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19 need to quarantine, unless they have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms, however, fully vaccinated people should get tested three to five days after their exposure, even if they do not have symptoms.
"Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body ache, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms as recognized by the CDC. If you develop any unusual symptoms, do not leave your house, except to visit a testing location or healthcare provider," officials said.
Free testing is available at these partnering agencies:
LifeSpring Community Health drive-thru COVID-19 Testing
2507 McCallie Ave. in Chattanooga
Mondays and Fridays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Clínica Médicos drive-thru COVID-19 Testing
1148 E 23rd St. in Chattanooga
Monday - Saturday: 8-11 a.m. and noon-3 p.m.
Sunday: 1-3:30 p.m.
Appointments are optional. To make an appointment, call 423-206-4530.
Additional COVID-19 testing sites in Hamilton County:
A list of additional testing locations can be found on the Health Department’s website
here.
Additional Resources:
• The Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline is available at 423-209-8383 to connect people to vaccine and testing resources. Hotline hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Bilingual representatives are available.
• For general quarantine and isolation guidance, visit the CDC’s webpage
here.
• To find a Health Department vaccination site near you, visit the Health Department’s vaccine webpage
here.