COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WTVF) — Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder has announced that he and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19.
Molder said Thursday that they're experiencing mild symptoms, but those symptoms are “present.” He said both of them will continue to self-isolate.
On Tuesday, Molder posted a photo of him receiving a COVID-19 test after his wife, Elizabeth Molder, began experiencing symptoms, including shortness of breath, loss of smell and lack of taste. He said his medical provider suggested they both get tested.
Molder said they got their results on Thursday and encouraged anyone “in doubt” to get tested. The two have been in self isolation since taking the test with their three young children, who so far have shown no symptoms.
"Frankly, we're a little bit disappointed because we have been very proactive from the very beginning," Molder told NewsChannel 5. "We've really done all of the precautions and the fact that we got the virus anyways is a testament the virus is not discriminate."
He also urged everyone to wear a mask despite County Mayor Andy Ogle refusing to issue a mask mandate in Maury County after Governor Bill Lee gave the options to individual counties. Ogle referred to the orders as overreaching and infringing on people's liberties.
"I've been a strong proponent for masks and I had hoped Governor Lee would have issued a statewide mandate so that we would have a united front. I do disagree with our county mayor's decision. That's not going to stop me from advocating what I believe is right and now that we have COVID-19, we have a little bit more of a platform to speak out for that," Molder said.
As of Thursday afternoon, there have been 557 cases in Maury County. More than half recovered and four people dead. Currently, there have been at least 22 hospitalizations at Maury Regional Medical Center with several on ventilators when only two weeks ago, the number of hospitalizations was no more than five with no use of ventilators, according to Molder.
The virus came at a time when Molder and his wife would have celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary in Nashville this week.
