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December 8 COVID-19 update: Tennessee reports 100 additional deaths, highest in a single day

Metro reports 692 new cases, ICU bed availability dips to 7%
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Posted at 9:36 AM, Dec 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-08 15:03:55-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported 6,019 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases reported to 414,749.

One hundred additional people have died from COVID-19, topping the record for the single-day increase in deaths that was set last week. TDH said so far, 5,109 Tennesseans have died from the virus.

As of Tuesday, 371,163 Tennesseans are now considered recovered from the virus and 38,477 cases remain active. Tuesday's rate of positive tests is 18.47%.

Hospitals statewide reported 2,566 active COVID-19 patients, the highest on record.

Metro health officials reported 692 new cases of COVID-19 and one additional death, an 85-year-old woman.

Davidson County has seen a total of 50,967 cases reported overall. As of Tuesday, 47,524 people have recovered or have an inactive case while 3,062 cases remain active.

The Metro Public Health Department said 368 people died from a confirmed case. Including probable and confirmed cases, 381 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

In Middle Tennessee hospitals, only 7% of ICU beds remain available and 16% of hospital beds are available.

On November 8, three of Metro's key metrics for reopening were listed as unsatisfactory and three were listed as less than satisfactory.

Below is data from MPHD on cases in Davidson County:


New cases per 100,000 people: 69.76
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 14.3
Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 16 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 7 percent

Cases by sex:
Male: 24,576
Female: 25,975
Unknown: 416

Cases by age:

Unknown81
0-102,405
11-205,426
21-3015,046
31-4010,026
41-506,756
51-605,384
61-703,329
71-801,580
81+934
Total50,967
Inactive/Recovered47,524
Deaths381
Total active cases3,062

Total number of tests conductedTotal positive/probable resultsTotal negative resultsPositive results as percentage of total
686,05261,148624,9048.91%


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.