~ from the Office of Neighborhoods
“What do I do if I run out of food, and I am afraid to leave my house?”
“Who do I call if I am not feeling well?”
Amid the growing concerns over COVID-19, these kinds of questions may be coming up in your neighborhood. Knowing who to contact and how to get the information you need can make a big difference.
East Tennessee’s 211 and the Knox County Health Department are both easily accessible sources of important information, especially during this time.
Use 211 to ask questions and get connected for all social service needs. If you need assistance acquiring food, reaching a counselor, navigating economic hardship, helping an elderly friend get their medication, etc., call 211.
Dialing 211 on your home or mobile phone should connect you to the line, but you can also dial 215-4211 to connect. Calling 211 connects you with a real person who can get you to the right agency or the information you need. The hotline is available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The mission of the Knox County Health Department is to ensure conditions in which every Knox County resident can be healthy. The KCDH works to identify health threats, conduct outreach and education, and advise the community on health emergencies, like COVID-19.
If you have any questions about your personal physical health, call the KCDH’s public information line at (865) 215-5555. You may also call the toll-free line at (888) 288-6022. The public health line is available from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Health-related questions can also be directed to your primary care physician. During the current Safer at Home order, residents are being asked to call their doctor or walk-in clinic before visiting in person.
For all general questions about COVID-19 and the coronavirus, the City’s 311 Center for Service Innovation has added an interactive chatbot to its home page help answer commonly asked questions and connect you with resources. Visit the city’s COVID-19 page for more information as it becomes available.
