COVID-19 Update: Smith County April 4th

In the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, NET Health is spreading facts, not fear on a daily basis with updates on the number of cases within the county.

NET Health has release the latest information on the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Smith County.

Tyler, Texas (Saturday, April 4)

There are 57 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Smith County as of Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m.

There is one (1) COVID-19 related fatality within Smith County as of Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m.

There are currently zero (0) reported recovered cases in Smith County as of Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m.

Confirmed cases in Smith County: 57

*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.

East Texas Restaurant Association and the East Texas Communities Foundation partner to provide food and other services to healthcare workers

At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 3, the East Texas Restaurant’s Association and the East Texas Communities Foundation announced a fund created to provide support for healthcare workers who are actively engaged in patient care and the coordinated community health response to the Coronavirus.

“As the pandemic works its course through our community, healthcare workers are being called away from their families to work long shifts in highly contagious environments,” said Bob Westbrook, president of the East Texas Restaurant’s Association. “This is a way we can support them by providing for their nutritional needs. It is one less thing for them to worry about.”

As an example of the creative, entrepreneurial spirit of our community, among other similar endeavors, this fund may support a coordinated effort of Tyler area restaurants and businesses that are providing food and other services for our healthcare workers and their families as they spend long hours apart.

This fund allows donors to provide meaningful and tangible support for our local healthcare professionals working on the front lines in local clinics, hospitals and labs to keep our community safe and healthy.

For more information or to donate, visit this website.

City of Tyler

The City of Tyler will extend modified facility operations until Monday, May 4. All events City-operated or in a City facility have been suspended through May 4.

Get more information on closures or adjusted services visit City Of Tyler.

City of Tyler PIO: Jenny Wells, (903) 944-9136

Smith County

Most Smith County offices remain 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 the 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 Smith County.

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 at Smith County 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. During this time, Tyler ISD will continue its Distance Learning and Free Curbside Meals programs. Beginning Monday, April 6, Dixie Elementary School will be an added Curbside Meals location. Social and emotional learning resources are available to students and parents on the TISD 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 updates, information and frequently asked questions, go to TISD.

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.