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September 19 COVID-19 update: 181,439 total cases, 2,216 deaths reported in Tennessee

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported 942 new COVID-19 cases today, along with 20 additional deaths.

This brings the state's total case count to 181,439, including 2,216 deaths.

The state also reported 706 current hospitalizations and 164,982 total recoveries so far.

Earlier today the Metro Public Health Department has reported 166 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. One additional death was reported.

Today's update brings Davidson County's total number of cases to 27,927. 27,773 of those are confirmed cases. Right now, there are 961 active cases and 26,708 people have recovered.

There have been three new probable cases in the past 24 hours.

Probable cases refer to those that have supporting epidemiological and clinical evidence that a COVID-19 infection has occurred, regardless of test result. If a person is a close contact of a COVID-19 case and has a clinically compatible illness, he or she can meet the criteria to be a probable case. Additionally, a positive result of an antigen test from a respiratory specimen can meet the criteria to be a probable case. If a health care provider diagnoses a person with clinically compatible illness with COVID-19, this person meets the probable case criteria.

An additional confirmed death has been reported in the past 24 hours, a 49-year-old man with underlying health conditions.

As of Saturday, 247 people in Davidson County have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Including both confirmed and probable cases, 258 deaths have been attributed to the virus.


New cases per 100,000 people: 11.32
Seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests: 4.9

Available Middle Tennessee hospital beds: 15 percent
Available Middle Tennessee ICU beds: 15 percent

The MPHD COVID-19 Hotline received 39 calls on Friday, September 18, 2020.

Total number of cases: 27,927
Cases reported in the past 24 hours: 166

Cases by sex
Male: 13,765
Female: 13,874
Unknown: 288

Cases by age

Unknown57
0-101,359
11-202,918
21-308,241
31-405,645
41-503,884
51-602,796
61-701,733
71-80793
81+501
Total27,927
Inactive/Recovered26,708
Deaths258
Total active cases961


MORE TENNESSEE COVID-19 COVERAGE

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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.