NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee reported its highest single-day increase in COVID-19-related deaths on Friday. With 78 additional deaths, this breaks the previous record of 65 deaths that was set back on Oct. 23.
That also makes this the worst week of the pandemic in terms of new death reports. The statewide death toll has now risen to 3,341.
The Tennessee Department of Health also reported 2,608 new cases. This brings the state's total number of cases to 259,488.
The department also said an additional 2,398 people have recovered.
BREAKING: Tennessee reports 78 new #COVID19 deaths, an all-time high! With one day still to go, this is already the deadliest week of the pandemic. DETAILED ANALYSIS TO FOLLOW 1/ https://t.co/luUUR9NTpO
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) October 30, 2020
Earlier in the day, Metro Public Health officials reported 244 new cases and three additional deaths.
Today's update brings Davidson County's total number of cases to 34,662. Right now, there are 2,381 active cases and 31,976 have since recovered.
Health officials said three additional confirmed deaths were reported in the past 24 hours -- two 73-year-old males and a 90-year-old male, all of which had underlying health conditions.
As of Friday, 294 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19. Including both confirmed and probable cases, 305 deaths have been attributed to the virus.
Metro also released the following data:
New cases per 100,000 people: 34.22
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 6.8
Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 13 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 11 percent
The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 186 calls on Thursday, October 29, 2020.
Total number of cases: 34,662
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 244
Cases by sex
Male: 16,946
Female: 17,406
Unknown: 310
Cases by age
| Unknown | 62 |
| 0-10 | 1,669 |
| 11-20 | 3,788 |
| 21-30 | 10,195 |
| 31-40 | 6,939 |
| 41-50 | 4,709 |
| 51-60 | 3,541 |
| 61-70 | 2,137 |
| 71-80 | 1,015 |
| 81+ | 607 |
| Total | 34,662 |
| Inactive/Recovered | 31,976 |
| Deaths | 305 |
| Total active cases |
MORE TENNESSEE COVID-19 COVERAGE
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- 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.
