In a video released last night, Rhea County Executive George Thacker says the number of positive COVID-19 active cases is expected to go from 13 to 180.

“I know if you look at my numbers that I just put up, it shows 13,” says Thacker, “We went down, but I had a phone call late today and it looks like our numbers are going to go up from 13 to close to 180 people tomorrow (Thursday, May 21, 2020), and that’s what I’m here to talk about.”

Thacker says he received the call about the rise from the Tennessee Department of Health.

He urged residents to continue to keep their guard up.

“Please wash your hands, try to remember all the things we’ve talked about,” says Thacker, “If you’re going to go out now, knowing that we’ve got these kind of numbers here, please try to wear a mask. I think it’s so important right now to wear a mask.”

Thacker says testing is available at the Rhea County Medical Center in Dayton and the Rhea County Health Department in Evensville. He also urged residents to continue practicing safety measures during Memorial Day weekend.

The announcement comes right after an employee at the La-Z-Boy plant in Dayton tested positive for COVID-19. It is not known at this time if the bulk of the spike is coming from there or another location but should be revealed today by health officials.