Martha Buchanan

Three Years of COVID

Though life has returned to normal in many ways, the pandemic hasn’t disappeared and the potential for a resurgence exists.

As Omicron adds a new dimension to the pandemic, the county says it might not assemble a new public health team until the fall of 2022.

Katharine Killen and Kevin Parton will temporarily step up when Dr. Martha Buchanan steps down.

After leading the local COVID-19 response, the director of the Knox County Health Department is stepping down.

COVID-19 cases are rising at a rapid clip, but mask mandates and business restrictions are not on the table.

After an audit prompted by a lost vaccine shipment, officials assure county commissioners they are making reforms.

For the second month in a row, the board deadlocked on seeking community input about school security.

Knox County’s indoor mask requirement died quickly amid the interplay of the governor’s manifold executive orders on the COVID-19 response.

Officials have given no explanation for the change in authority that bypassed Dr. Martha Buchanan, the county’s public health officer.

Knox County’s health officer says she will extend public health orders when full pandemic response decisions fall to her.