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December 16 COVID-19 update: Tennessee reports 11,410 new cases, highest single-day increase

Metro reports 857 new cases, 7 additional deaths
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Posted at 9:41 AM, Dec 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-16 15:06:54-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported 11,410 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, breaking the previous record of new single-day cases that was set on Sunday. The department said 53 additional deaths were reported.

This brings Tennessee's total number of cases to 484,285. The statewide death toll has risen to 5,668. Right now, there are 66,774 active cases -- an all-time high.

Hospitalizations across the state continue a steady, record increase with 2,874 currently hospitalized with confirmed cases.

Earlier in the day, Metro Public Health officials reported 857 new cases, bringing Davidson County's total number of cases to 57,840. Right now, there are 5,707 active cases and 51,715 have since recovered after having the virus previously.

Health officials said six new confirmed deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, an 84-year-old man with a pending medical history, along with a 90-year-old man, an 88-year-old man, a 73-year-old woman, and two 64-year-old men with underlying health conditions. There has also been one new probable death reported in the past 24 hours, a 106-year-old woman with underlying health conditions.

As of today, 404 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 418 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

Additionally, ICU bed availability has dipped to 7% -- anything below 10% is considered to be in the red category for Metro's metrics tracker.

On Monday and Tuesday, Metro reported its highest and second highest single-day increases, respectively.


Metro also released the following data:

New cases per 100,000 people: 91.97
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 15.6

Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 11 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 7 percent

The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 300 calls on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

Total number of cases: 57,840
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 857

Cases by sex
Male: 27,723
Female: 29,634
Unknown: 483

Cases by Race

Asian 2.0%
Black or African American 18.2%
Other Race 14.9%
Pending 8.6%
Two or More Races 0.4%
Unknown 15.1%
White 40.8%

Deaths by Race
Asian 13
Black or African American 137
Other 27
White 236
Pending 5

Deaths by Zip Code

37013 49
37211 48
37115 40
37207 32
37218 14
37214 15
37076 15
37215 17
37216 15
37209 10
37221 13
37210 12
37138 10

Cases by age

Unknown95
0-102,740
11-206,083
21-3016,737
31-4011,315
41-507,677
51-606,252
61-703,916
71-801,900
81+1,125
Total57,840
Inactive/Recovered51,715
Deaths418
Total active cases5,707


MORE TENNESSEE COVID-19 COVERAGE

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.