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January 1 COVID-19 update: Metro reports 894 new cases, ICU bed availability dips to 6%

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Posted at 9:40 AM, Jan 01, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-01 10:40:18-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Public Health officials reported 894 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. The department said four additional deaths were also reported.

This brings Davidson County's total number of cases to 69,706. Right now, there are 6,946 active cases.

Additionally, the number of available ICU beds has dropped to 6%. Anything below 10% is considered to be in the red category for Metro's key metrics.

Health officials said four new confirmed deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, a 72-year-old man, a 72-year-old woman, a 70-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, all with underlying health conditions.

As of today, 457 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 480 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

So far, 62,280 individuals have been labeled inactive/recovered after having the virus previously.


Metro also released the following data:

New cases per 100,000 people: 71.2
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 15.5

Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 14 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 6 percent

The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 422 calls on Thursday, December 31, 2020.

Total number of cases: 69,706
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 894

Cases by sex
Male: 33,140
Female: 35,939
Unknown: 627

Cases by age

Unknown109
0-103,242
11-207,027
21-3019,929
31-4013,683
41-509,283
51-607,645
61-704,921
71-802,420
81+1,447
Total69,706
Inactive/Recovered62,280
Deaths480
Total active cases6,946


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.