NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee saw its worst week of pandemic numbers this week, in terms of new COVID-19 cases and deaths.
The Department of Health reported 2,574 additional cases Saturday, along with 24 deaths. This brings the state's total case count to 244,087 including 3,100 deaths.
Overall this week, Tennessee reported 17,948 new confirmed cases, surpassing the record set in the last week of July.
BREAKING: Tennessee reports 2,574 new #COVID19 cases, making this the worst week of the pandemic. DETAILED ANALYSIS TO FOLLOW 1/ pic.twitter.com/cEQjnCLYnP
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) October 24, 2020
Multiple days this week broke the state's daily record for highest number of new cases reported. Friday saw the highest report of both new cases and deaths, with 3,606 and 66, respectively.
This week also included the highest number of new cases reported among children ages 5-18. The state started providing that data in the summer.
THIS IS SIGNIFICANT: By far, since the state started breaking out this number in the summer, this was the worst week for new #COVID19 cases among school-age children, ages 5-18. Remember, these kids have teachers, parents and grandparents. 4/ pic.twitter.com/f85jIWqz69
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) October 24, 2020
This week was the fourth highest week of new deaths reported statewide.
Earlier today Metro Public Health officials reported 294 new cases of COVID-19, bringing Davidson County's total number of cases to 33,016. Right now, Metro has 2,008 active cases.
Health officials said one confirmed death has been reported in the past 24 hours, an 83-year-old male with confirmed underlying health conditions.
As of today, 283 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 294 deaths have been attributed to the virus.
So far, 30,714 individuals have been labeled inactive/recovered.
New cases per 100,000 people: 27.36
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 6.1
Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 16 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 12 percent
The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 217 calls on Friday, October 23, 2020.
Total number of cases: 33,016
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 294
Cases by sex
Male: 16,165
Female: 16,548
Unknown: 303
Cases by age
| Unknown | 61 |
| 0-10 | 1,603 |
| 11-20 | 3,586 |
| 21-30 | 9,736 |
| 31-40 | 6,623 |
| 41-50 | 4,498 |
| 51-60 | 3,345 |
| 61-70 | 2,027 |
| 71-80 | 959 |
| 81+ | 578 |
| Total | 33,016 |
| Inactive/Recovered | 30,714 |
| Deaths | 294 |
| Total active cases | 2,008 |
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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.
