NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 15 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Tennessee.
Gov. Lee signed the order Thursday, which will relieve regulations and burdens on health care professionals as well as free up departments to combat COVID-19. It also aims to quickly boost health care capacity and enhance customer service through the pandemic.
The order will loosen restrictions and deregulate the following:
- Deregulate health care beds - There are restrictions the to use of some beds at health care facilities. This would loosen those restrictions, freeing them up for use in the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Deregulate health care professional's scope of practice - It allows more doctors to treat more patients.
- Loosens regulations of telehealth, expands use of telemedicine - More providers and health care professionals will be eligible to use tech and telehealth while treating patients. It will also loosen HIPAA restrictions so that doctors can use things like FaceTime to provide medical services. And urges insurance providers to cover more telemedicine services.
However, the order will also strengthen consumer protections regarding price gouging. The penalties will now cover price gouging on food and food supply.
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.
