NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 8,726 total cases of COVID-19 across the state. The department said 168 deaths have been reported.
TDOH officials released the latest numbers Friday, saying there have been 808 hospitalizations and 4,370 have recovered.
Earlier in the day, Metro Public Health Department officials confirmed 2,176 total cases of COVID-19 in Nashville/Davidson County, an increase of 32 in the past 24 hours.
The confirmed cases range in age from 2 months to 99 years. Twenty-two deaths have been reported. Of those who've tested positive, 1,111 people have recovered from the virus.
The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 276 calls on Thursday, April 23, 2020.
Total number of cases: 2,176
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 32
Cases by sex
Male: 1,009
Female: 982
Unknown: 185
Total cases by age
| Unknown | 32 |
| 0-10 | 43 |
| 11-20 | 134 |
| 21-30 | 619 |
| 31-40 | 427 |
| 41-50 | 331 |
| 51-60 | 287 |
| 61-70 | 178 |
| 71-80 | 89 |
| 81+ | 36 |
| Total | 2,176 |
| Recovered | 1,111 |
| Deaths | 22 |
| Total active cases | 1,043 |
Metro health officials said in Nashville, and other parts of the state, the rate of transmission has fallen to the point where the number of new cases may no longer be growing. However, epidemiologists and infectious disease experts say that without strict social distancing, Tennessee’s numbers would once again surge.
According to health officials, it’s estimated that a single infected person, who does practice social distancing, could infect more than 4,000 people over the course of a month. As a result, the virus is still a threat until an effective vaccine or more effective treatments.
Experts estimate that a COVID-19 vaccine won't be available until 2021 -- at the earliest.
On Thursday, Mayor John Cooper announced the city’s four-phase plan for reopening. While he hopes that process can began in early May, Cooper emphasized that the plan will be data driven, not date driven.
Each phase opens up different businesses, at different capacity levels. Read more here.
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed 8,266 total cases of COVID-19 across the state. The department said 170 deaths have been reported.
Current county-by-county numbers are available in the map below this story, updated daily after 2 p.m. These numbers may not add up the total number, as the daily reports from the Tennessee Department of Health often have dozens of cases that have yet been linked to a county.
Editor's Note: We are publishing updates to our COVID-19 count multiple times daily, but with a new story created each day to help track the growth of the virus in the state. Our latest reporting will always be at the top of our website at https://www.newschannel5.com. If this story is more than 24 hours old, (the date this story was published is available at the top of our story, just under the headline) please head to our homepage for our most accurate information.
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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.
