NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported 3,317 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the highest daily increase since the pandemic began. The department also said 13 additional deaths were reported.
Monday's update brings the state's total number of cases to 232,061. The statewide death toll has risen to 2,922. Additionally, there are 1,188 current hospitalizations, also an all-time high.
Right now, there are 23,307 active cases -- the highest number of active cases the state has reported since they changed how they classify active cases.
The total COVID-19 case count for Tennessee is 232,061 as of October 19, 2020 including 2,922 deaths, 1,188 current hospitalizations and 205,832 inactive/recovered. (Percent positive for today is 8.31% ). For the full report with additional data, visit https://t.co/Psc3HfgZ8j. pic.twitter.com/QYlYOzyGQK
— TN Dept. of Health (@TNDeptofHealth) October 19, 2020
Tennessee's #COVID19 hospitalization numbers continue in record-breaking territory. Today's 1,188 likely will be revised even higher due to a few hospitals not reporting yet. #WearAMask pic.twitter.com/sUyVW1cEjA
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) October 19, 2020
This past week, Tennessee set a new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations. As of Thursday, there were 1,168 patients in Tennessee hospitals with confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The previous high of 1,161 was set back on July 29th, followed by a steady decline that lasted almost two months.
Earlier in the day, the Metro Public Health Department reported 276 new cases. No additional deaths were reported.
Today's update brings Davidson County's total number of cases to 31,759. Right now, there are 1,739 active cases -- the highest number so far in the month of October and higher than all of September.
Metro's ICU bed availability also grew to 10% today after that number fell below 8% on Sunday, putting the metric in the "red" category on the city's roadmap to recovery.
As of today, the transmission rate and new cases per-100,000 residents remain in the red category.
Currently, the transmission rate is at 1.16, above Metro's goal of 1.0. The seven-day rolling average of new cases per-100,000 residents is also at 25.9. The goal is less than 10.
Metro's 14-day case trend is also seeing a slight increase in new cases. Click here to read more about Metro's key metrics for reopening.
277 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 288 deaths have been attributed to the virus.
So far, 29,732 individuals have been labeled inactive/recovered.
New cases per 100,000 people: 25.90
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 5.2
Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 17 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 10 percent
The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 46 calls on Sunday, October 18, 2020.
Total number of cases: 31,759
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 276
Cases by sex
Male: 15,568
Female: 15,889
Unknown: 302
Cases by age
| Unknown | 56 |
| 0-10 | 1,546 |
| 11-20 | 3,463 |
| 21-30 | 9,335 |
| 31-40 | 6,397 |
| 41-50 | 4,352 |
| 51-60 | 3,179 |
| 61-70 | 1,946 |
| 71-80 | 918 |
| 81+ | 567 |
| Total | 31,759 |
| Inactive/Recovered | 29,732 |
| Deaths | 288 |
| Total active cases | 1,739 |
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.
