Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order today to allow Tennessee to receive additional federal funds and relax laws to help fight the spread of COVID-19.

Governor Lee said Executive Order 14 is an “emergency declaration” that “will move the state into a position to bring in additional funds from FEMA and relax certain laws which will make it easier to respond to this disease.”

“We know this is serious. We also know this is especially serious for a neighbors who are elderly. This is why we should all take this seriously even if you are not in the vulnerable population,” Governor Lee said.

Lee said all Tennesseans should take this seriously, even if you’re not in one of the most at-risk groups. He advised the elderly or adults with underlying health conditions to avoid crowds and urged everyone to stop all non-essential visits to nursing homes and hospitals.

The Tennessee Department of Health said late yesterday the state has nine COVID-19 cases confirmed, including the first one in East Tennessee. Two of those patients were hospitalized.

Two new cases were reported in Davidson and Williamson counties Wednesday.

Health officials said Tuesday afternoon that a case had been confirmed in the Sullivan County metro area, which is in upper East Tennessee. That county includes Kingsport, Bristol and Blountville.

Other cases were confirmed in Davidson County, Shelby County, and Williamson County over the week.