By Jessie Williams

The Macon County Sheriff’s Department has recently announced its plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Eighteen-year-old Austin Dale Sanders, of Macon County, was charged on March 22 with statutory rape, sexual battery, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and two counts of solicitation of a person under the age of 18.

On Monday, March 16, Governor Bill Lee issued a statement in response to the Coronavirus urging every school district in Tennessee to close as soon as practically possible, with all schools expected to close by Friday, March 20, 2020, at the latest. Schools should remain closed through March 31, to further mitigate the spread of the infectious disease, and further guidance will be issued prior to March 31. 

Macon Community Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.