NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Friday, the Tennessee Department of Health confirmed 3,067 cases of COVID-19 in the state. At least 37 deaths related to the coronavirus have been reported.
At least 293 people have been hospitalized due to the virus and 248 of the 3,067 who have contracted the virus have recovered so far.
Previously, we were attempting to track the number of cases independently, but the complexity of reporting has made us less confident in being able to report an accurate total. We will continue to report the numbers provided by the state, along with any discrepancies in those numbers provided by local governments.
Current county-by-county numbers are available in the map below this story, updated daily after 2 p.m. These numbers may not add up the total number, as the daily reports from the Tennessee Department of Health often have dozens of cases that have yet been linked to a county.
Gov. Bill Lee announced the formation of a Unified Command Group to expand the capacity of the state's health care system amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Lee spoke from Knoxville Friday morning, saying the state is preparing for the increase of coronavirus patients that's expected to surge in the coming weeks. The governor said the state is working to expand hospital bed capacity across the state. They need to secure 7,000 additional beds statewide and they're assessing larger cities for hospital expansion centers.
"The primary responsibility of [the Unified Command Group] is to expand capacity of our health scare system across the state so that we can meet needs of the surge we know is coming. We don't know exactly what it will be or when it is coming, but we do know there is a surge coming, and we want to be ready for it to the best degree possible," said Lee.
On Thursday, he said the Music City Center would be converted to treat non-critical COVID-19 patients.
Lee also said they're requesting help from health care workers across the state and working to secure more personal protective equipment (PPEs). He also requested help from private companies in producing essential items like masks and 3D face shields. Click here for more information.
When asked about available ventilators, Lee said the state has 950 that aren't being used now. Health officials estimate the state will need 1,900 during the anticipated spike in patients. Lee said they've ordered an additional 500 that should be delivered before the virus' peak.
On Thursday, Lee signed an executive order requiring all Tennesseans stay home unless carrying out essential activities. According to a press release, Lee signed Executive Order 23. It goes beyond "recommending" residents stay home and mandates they stay home.
READ MORE: What are 'essential actions' under the governor's stay at home order?
Earlier Friday, Metro Public Health Department officials confirmed 808 cases of COVID-19 in Nashville/Davidson County, an increase of 23 cases in the past 24 hours. A sixth death, which was first reported yesterday by the Tennessee Department of Health, was confirmed during today's daily Coronavirus update.
Watch the full briefing below:
Health officials confirmed Friday that a 60-year-old man with underlying health conditions died, marking the county's sixth death.
The other cases range in age from 2 months to 85 years. Thursday’s report also included a one-month-old infant. However, health officials said they later determined that the infant is not a Davidson County resident.
Twenty-six individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 remain hospitalized, and 103 individuals have recovered from the virus. The remaining cases are self-isolating at home and have mild and manageable symptoms.
Of the 808 confirmed cases, 75 are healthcare workers. Fifty-six of those have recovered from the virus.
Total number of cases: 808
Number of cases confirmed today: 23
Cases by sex
Male: 373
Female: 420
Unknown: 15
Total Cases by age
| Unknown | 131 |
| 0-10 | 8 |
| 11-20 | 37 |
| 21-30 | 274 |
| 31-40 | 114 |
| 41-50 | 83 |
| 51-60 | 78 |
| 61-70 | 47 |
| 71-80 | 29 |
| 81+ | 7 |
| Total | 808 |
| Recovered | 103 |
| Deaths | 6 |
| Total active cases | 699 |
On Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Health confirmed 2,845 cases of COVID-19 in the state. At least 32 deaths related to the coronavirus have been reported.
Davidson County's report continues to be higher than the state because the number reflects positive patients tested in the county, but who live elsewhere. Additionally, TDOH reports that local municipalities receive case data before the state, which can also add to the discrepancy between the two numbers.
Nashville has three Community Assessment Centers for COVID-19:
- Nissan Stadium Lot “N”, 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213
- Meharry Medical College 918 21st Ave North, Nashville, TN 37208
- Former Kmart (opening today) 2491 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217
Residents must first call to receive an initial assessment by a public health professional. Callers can also access recorded messages, which provide the latest information about COVID-19 and details about the Safer at Home Order.
The Hotline number is 615-862-7777 and is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week in both Spanish and English.
Editor's Note: We are publishing updates to our COVID-19 count multiple times daily, but with a new story created each day to help track the growth of the virus in the state. Our latest reporting will always be at the top of our website at https://www.newschannel5.com. If this story is more than 24 hours old, (the date this story was published is available at the top of our story, just under the headline) please head to our homepage for our most accurate information.
MORE TENNESSEE COVID-19 COVERAGE
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- Nashville's COVID-19 testing centers to adjust operating hours
- Walmart pharmacies in Tennessee now offering COVID-19 vaccines
- Donate to the COVID-19 Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund
See all our coronavirus coverage here
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
