NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported 5,257 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases to 546,497.
As of December 24, 462,694 Tennesseans are now considered recovered from the virus while 77,372 cases remain active. Thursday’s rate of positive tests is 17.2%.
Fifty-one additional Tennesseans have died from COVID-19. TDH has attributed 6,431 deaths to COVID-19.
Hospitals statewide reported 2,944 active COVID-19 patients overnight.
Metro Public Health officials reported 891 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing Davidson County's total number of cases to 64,835. Two additional deaths were also reported.
Health officials said there has been one new probable death reported in the past 24 hours, a 67-year-old woman with underlying health conditions. One new confirmed death has also been reported, a 59-year-old man with a pending medical history.
When the health care provider who signs the death certificate determines COVID-19 disease was the cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death, this person meets the probable case criteria and would be considered a probable death.
As of today, 431 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 451 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.
Right now, there are 7,388 active cases. So far, 56,996 individuals have been labeled inactive/recovered after having the virus previously.
Metro also released the following data:
New cases per 100,000 people: 97.6
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 16.3
Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 14 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 9 percent
The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 255 calls on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
Total number of cases: 64,835
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 891
Cases by sex
Male: 30,891
Female: 33,366
Unknown: 578
Cases by age
| Unknown | 105 |
| 0-10 | 3,057 |
| 11-20 | 6,645 |
| 21-30 | 18,678 |
| 31-40 | 12,671 |
| 41-50 | 8,611 |
| 51-60 | 7,035 |
| 61-70 | 4,513 |
| 71-80 | 2,188 |
| 81+ | 1,332 |
| Total | 64,835 |
| Inactive/Recovered | 56,996 |
| Deaths | 451 |
| Total active cases | 7,388 |
MORE TENNESSEE COVID-19 COVERAGE
- Mask mandate, capacity restrictions lifted in Nashville; what you need to know
- Tennessee, Metro to offer COVID-19 vaccine to children 12-15 years old
- 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.
