NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported 8,251 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, making it the third-highest single-day increase in terms of new cases. The department said 74 additional deaths were also reported.
Today's update brings Tennessee's total number of cases to 472,875. The statewide death toll has now risen to 5,615. The number of active cases is now at 62,663.
The record number of confirmed hospitalizations continues to rise and is currently at 2,821. Right now, there are 194 available ICU beds across the state.
The total COVID-19 case count for Tennessee is 472,875 as of December 15, 2020 including 5,615 deaths, 2,821 current hospitalizations and 404,597 are inactive/recovered. [Percent positive for today is 18.17%] For the full report with additional data: https://t.co/jlAz8a6Upp. pic.twitter.com/CkG24XDM8D
— TN Dept. of Health (@TNDeptofHealth) December 15, 2020
Earlier in the day, Metro Public Health officials reported 1,260 new cases, the second highest single-day increase in new cases. Davidson County's total number of cases is now at 56,983. Right now, there are 5,638 active cases and 50,934 have since recovered.
On Monday, Metro reported its highest single-day increase in new cases at 1,311.
Health officials say six new confirmed deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, an 89-year-old man, an 86-year-old woman, an 84-year-old woman, an 83-year-old woman, a 76-year-old man and a 61-year-old man, all with underlying health conditions.
As of today, 398 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 411 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.
Metro also released the following data:
New cases per 100,000 people: 95.24
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 15.6
Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 12 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 9 percent
The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 68 calls on Monday, December 14, 2020.
Total number of cases: 56,983
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 1,260
Cases by sex
Male: 27,327
Female: 29,183
Unknown: 473
Cases by age
| Unknown | 93 |
| 0-10 | 2,700 |
| 11-20 | 6,006 |
| 21-30 | 16,502 |
| 31-40 | 11,154 |
| 41-50 | 7,577 |
| 51-60 | 6,135 |
| 61-70 | 3,863 |
| 71-80 | 1,851 |
| 81+ | 1,102 |
| Total | 56,983 |
| Inactive/Recovered | 50,934 |
| Deaths | 411 |
| Total active cases | 5,638 |
MORE TENNESSEE COVID-19 COVERAGE
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- 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.
