NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported 1,669 new cases of COVID-19 across the state Friday. The department said 61 additional deaths were reported, making it the highest single-day death increase since the pandemic began.
Friday's update brings the state's total number of cases to 140,844. The statewide death toll has risen to 1,549.
TDOH officials said 99 new hospitalizations were reported and 1,719 more people have recovered.
The total COVID-19 case count for TN is 140,844 as of August 21, 2020 including 1,549 deaths, 6,255 hospitalizations and 102,686 recovered. [Percent positive for today is 7.32%.] For additional data, including the weekly long-term care facility report: https://t.co/Psc3HfgZ8j. pic.twitter.com/e9H3dbKn6K
— TN Dept. of Health (@TNDeptofHealth) August 21, 2020
Earlier in the day, Metro Public Health officials reported 123 new cases, bringing Davidson County's total number of cases to 24,963. One additional death has been reported in the past 24 hours.
The cases range in age from 1 month to 103 years. Metro health said there have been two new probable cases in the past 24 hours.
Probable cases refer to those that do not test positive in a diagnostic test but do have supporting epidemiological and clinical evidence that a COVID-19 infection has occurred. If a person is a close contact of a COVID-19 case and has a clinically compatible illness, he or she meets the criteria to be a probable case. Additionally, if a health care provider diagnoses a person with clinically compatible illness with COVID-19, this person meets the probable case criteria.
The department said one additional confirmed death has been reported, an 89-year-old female with underlying health conditions. There have been no new probable deaths reported in the past 24 hours.
As of Friday, 216 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 225 deaths have been attributed to the virus.
So far, 22,178 individuals have recovered. Right now, there are 2,560 active cases.
Metro also shared the following data:
New cases per 100,000 people: 22.6
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 10.8
Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 15 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 14 percent
The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 47 calls on Thursday, August 20, 2020.
Total number of cases: 24,963
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 123
Cases by sex
Male: 12,476
Female: 12,192
Unknown: 295
Cases by age
| Unknown | 54 |
| 0-10 | 1,241 |
| 11-20 | 2,568 |
| 21-30 | 7,375 |
| 31-40 | 5,050 |
| 41-50 | 3,503 |
| 51-60 | 2,497 |
| 61-70 | 1,515 |
| 71-80 | 701 |
| 81+ | 459 |
| Total | 24,963 |
| Recovered | 22,178 |
| Deaths | 225 |
| Total active cases | 2,560 |
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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.
