COVID-19 Update: Smith County April 1st

East Texas now has over 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Smith County has the largest number of cases and the numbers continue to increase. NET Heath release the following daily press release with information on COVID-19 cases within the county.

Tyler, Texas (Wednesday, April 1)

There are 42 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Smith County as of Wednesday, April 1 at 12 p.m.
There is one (1) COVID-19 related fatality within Smith County as of Wednesday, April 1 at 12 p.m.
Confirmed cases in Smith County: 42
*Northeast Texas Public Health District PIO: Terrence Ates, (903) 343-5451

The Smith County Emergency Operations Center is active and meeting seven days a week to coordinate the best response for the Smith County community.

Smith County is currently under a Stay at Home Order issued by Judge Nathaniel Moran on Friday, March 27.

City of Tyler
The City of Tyler will extend modified facility operations until Friday, May 1. All events City-operated or in a City facility have been suspended through May 1.
Get more information on closures or adjusted services on the City of Tyler website.
City of Tyler PIO: Jenny Wells, (903) 944-9136

Smith County
Most Smith County offices remains open to the public, but with limited walk-in services. The County encourages people to conduct their businesses online. Many non-essential services are by appointment only. The Smith County Tax Office is closed to the public until further notice, but is still working to assist Smith County residents and businesses. People can pay their property taxes over the phone, online or through mail. People can renew their auto registration online or through the mail. They are also continuing to service car dealers who need title work. For more information, call (903) 590-2920 or visit Smith County.

Jury duty continues to be suspended through May 1. For a full list of adjusted Smith County services, please visit their website.

The annual Smith County-Wide Clean Up program, which allows residents to take bulky items to the landfill for free, is underway and is extended through the end of May. Smith County residents can use vouchers, available online at on the Commissioners Court page, to redeem at the Greenwood Farms Landfill, at 12920 Farm-to-Market Road 2767, or Old Kilgore Highway, in Tyler.
Smith County PIO: Casey Murphy, (903) 590-4607

Tyler Independent School District
Governor Greg Abbott has extended his executive order closing school facilities with the possibility of returning to classes May 4. The extension aims to assist state and local efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. During this time, Tyler ISD will continue its Distance Learning and Free Curbside Meals programs. During the week of March 23-27, the District saw 135,000 student logins to its online distance learning platforms, as well as an additional amount of students completing assignments through printed instructional packets and workbooks. Tyler ISD Food Service has served more than 21,300 meals since March 16. The District will add an additional location starting Monday, April 6, at Dixie Elementary School. Social and emotional learning resources are available to students and parents on the www.tylerisd.org/distancelearning web page. Campus counselors are also able to provide online counseling video phone calls and/or video chats. To request counseling services, students and parents can submit a Counseling Referral Form on their school counselor's web page. For Curbside Meal information and/or answers to Frequently Asked Questions, go to TISD's website .
TISD PIO: Jennifer Hines, (903) 521-5887

Hospital Updates
Both CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and UT Health East Texas have expanded telehealth services and online screening tools to best serve their patients. Telehealth services will be HIPPA-compliant.

If you are experiencing or developing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, call to speak with a clinician who will provide telephonic triage and make appropriate referrals in accordance with CDC guidelines. Additionally, you may visit www.coronavirus.gov and take a “Coronavirus Self-Checker” assessment. This will help you communicate symptoms to your doctor when you call their office before making a visit.

To coordinate prescreening and referral directly with UT Health East Texas, patients may call (903) 596- DOCS.
To coordinate prescreening and referral directly with CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, patients may call (903) 606-DOCS.

**In the event of an emergency, call 911.