Although 2020 has been one of the most challenging years of our lifetimes, we know there is so much to be thankful for ... starting with each of you. From providers on the front lines, researchers bringing new hope, and those churning out COVID test results to the back office administrators, technology experts, financiers and consultants who keep the healthcare industry running, please know you are our heroes! Thank you for doing your jobs so selflessly to improve quality, access and safety of care.
While we're feeling all warm and fuzzy about our many readers, unfortunately, we still have our job to do ... which includes reporting the latest COVID numbers for the city and state. Concerns continue that Thanksgiving will turn into a super-spreader event. Mayor Cooper's directive - the Rule of 8 - went into effect Monday with no more than eight people gathered indoors for celebrations. The new rule doesn't impact larger venues, but those events need to have an approved COVID plan in place. Here is the link to the latest orders, forms and info in compliance with city orders: https://www.asafenashville.org/roadmap-for-reopening-nashville-phase-3-guidance-and-resources/ Additionally, MNPS has returned to all virtual learning after Thanksgiving while evaluating the current surge.
Metro Nashville
As of 9:30 today, the city reported 43,941 confirmed cases, an increase of 21 since yesterday ... the lowest number of new cases seen in weeks. There are currently 2,898 active cases in Nashville, 40,678 inactive or recovered cases and 422 active hospitalizations. With 365 deaths, the city has a case fatality rate of 0.84%. In Davidson County, 625,552 tests have been administered with an overall positive rate of 8.5% (and a 7-day testing percent positive of 10.7%).
For the first time in weeks, out of 8 metrics on the trend lines, Nashville has 2 in the green, 4 in the yellow and only 2 in the red - 14-day new case trend and new cases per 100,000 residents. With a goal for transmission to be less than 1.09, the city's current transmission rate of 1.11 is in the yellow. The 14-day case trend also is in the red with new cases rising. Public health and testing capacity remain in the green, as they have throughout.
As of 9:30 am this morning, hospital floor bed capacity remained in the yellow with 13% availability, and ICU beds returned to yellow with current availability at 10% capacity. The goal for both hospital and ICU bed capacity is 20%.
The New Cases per 100K Residents has remained in the red for the last few weeks. The goal of the seven-day rolling average is to be at 10 or below. Currently, Nashville sits at 58.7 as of 9:30 am this morning. The goal for the 7-Day Positivity Rate is to see a figure at 10% or less. Currently, Nashville remains in the yellow with a rate of 10.7%.
More detailed data is available on the Metro Dashboard. Click here for details.
Nashville remains in Phase 3 of COVID Reopening with new restrictions having been put in place this week. The city also continues its mask mandate, with several nearby counties having reinstated similar mandates after letting them expire earlier. Governor Bill Lee extended the Tennessee State of Emergency tied to COVID-19 through Dec. 29.
Tennessee State
As of this afternoon, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) confirmed an additional 2,118 new cases of COVID-19 with the state total hitting 347,972. There are currently 2,183 hospitalizations (up 58 since yesterday) and 4,466 deaths (up 92 in 24 hours) for a death rate of 1.28. A little more than 4.3 million tests have been administered statewide (up 13,836 in 24 hours) with a 12.4% positive rate for the day. The number of inactive/recovered cases statewide is 308,566 as of this afternoon.
Happy Thanksgiving
Have a happy, safe, small Thanksgiving!