What Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron feared for this community has just happened in Johnson City. Due to COVID-19 deaths, their morgue is full and refrigerated trailer truck with a capacity to hold as many as 60 bodies is now parked at that east Tennessee medical facility. 

Just before the Tri-Cities mobile morgue was put into operation, FEMA positioned one of the refrigerated trailers in Knoxville. At this time, those are the only units in the Volunteer State. 

Back in October Rutherford County moved a step closer to resolving the potential of not having enough morgue space. With Rutherford County's population estimated to now being over 360,000 persons, there are less than 10 morgue drawers in the entire county. Neighboring Davidson County has approximately 50 drawers, but they have to serve all mid-state counties. 

Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services’ Denise Martin said a grant will offer a band-air solution . . .

Martin is an attorney who is employed by the county medical service. 

Martin concluded . . .

Earlier, Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron proposed a Forensic Medical Center at Middle Tennessee State University that would serve as part of the school's new medical program, as well as Criminal Justice Department and service the needs of this community as well . . .

The proposed Forensic Medical Center at MTSU would solve this potential problem for Rutherford County. It would include enough morgue space to accomodate human remains should a major disaster occur.