News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The story of a public health emergency at TCAT Livingston Thursday is simply a false rumor.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, a TCAT Livingston spokesperson said a student arrived for class Thursday, feeling sick. When directed to go home, the student reported she had been in contact with someone who had the measles.
“TCAT Livingston contacted the Department of Health, which consulted with the student’s healthcare provider and reported to the college that the student had been vaccinated for measles and there is little threat of exposure on campus,” TCAT Livingston said in a statement. “However, the college followed the Health Department’s guidance by dismissing students from that wing of the building, and is deep cleaning the wing.”
The TCAT spokesperson said the measures were taken out of an abundance of caution for all students’ health.
“As a result, the college’s cosmetology and aesthetics technology classes will be online-only Friday,” the statement said.
The story surfaced Thursday and spread quickly. Overton County Emergency Management Director Chris Masiongale said he confirmed with the Overton County Health Department and other officials that there was no public danger.
Masiongale said it was simply a story that spread based on rumor.
