NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Monday, Metro leaders said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Davidson County has risen to 184 in total, with 27 patients who have recovered.
While that number only increased by five cases in the last 24 hours, Dr. Alex Jahangir of the Metro Board of Health cautioned the good news.
"I want to be very clear, I do not believe this is the beginning of the downtrend of this virus," Dr. Jahangir said.
Two Tennesseans have died from the novel coronavirus, one of which was a 73-year-old Nashville man.
Two people who tested positive for the illness are being treated at the hospital, and the remaining 154 cases are self-isolating at home with mild and manageable symptoms.
Davidson County patients range in age from 11 to 73 years old.
Beginning March 23, Nashvillians are under a "safer at home" order for the next 14 days. The order was given to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
All nonessential businesses must close, but grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores and pharmacies are among the businesses that will remain open.
Residents may still go outside for fresh air, but Mayor Cooper asks that everyone keep six feet apart.
Click here for more information on what's considered essential business under Mayor Cooper's order.
Ralph Schulz, president and CEO of the Nashville area Chamber of Commerce, has urged residents to support local business during this time by ordering take-out or delivery.
Schulz said the chamber of commerce will host two webinars this week for business owners in need of help. Experts will be available during the webinars, which will be held on the chamber's website, nashvillechamber.com. The first session will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. on tornado recovery, the second will be held Friday at 12 p.m. on coronavirus recovery.
Last week, Metro Nashville launched a website to keep the public informed on the COVID-19 outbreak in Davidson County. Residents can visit COVID19.Nashville.gov for more information.
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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.
