State Concerned With Overton COVID Numbers

Governor Bill Lee’s COVID-19 Unified Command group met with Overton leaders sharing concerns of the county’s growing numbers.

County Executive Ben Danner said the two groups discussed strategies on how to get more residents to wear masks without implementing a mandate.

“They showed us numbers and showed us that from the state’s perspective, Overton County was a big hot spot cause the numbers are not falling off,” Danner said. “We are 22,000 people and we have 114 active. I mean Cumberland County is 60,000 people and only have 80 active.”

Danner said the county is worried about numbers increasing more since restrictions for businesses and events were lifted. The county’s community center and agriculture building will remain closed despite the guideline changes.

“There is not set number that we would think about mandating masks,” Danner said. “I myself do not see a point where I would mandate masks. I would still like to ask everyone to wear them. We will have to look at that as we go along.”

Overton has seen 221 new cases since September 11th.

The rising numbers mean looking at all options. For example, all grade school basketball games in Overton are limiting ticket sales. Danner said most players will be given four tickets depending on the size of the gymnasium.

“We have a home game next week at Hilham and they told us every student gets four tickets,” Danner said. “We go to Forks River in Smith County and that is a real small gym, so they might only give one or two tickets per child.”

Danner said when county schools face off, normally about 600 people attend the game, but this will not possible this season.