Concerns continue that Thanksgiving will turn into a super-spreader event. Mayor Cooper's directive - the Rule of 8 - went into effect yesterday with no more than eight people gathered indoors for celebrations. The new rule doesn't impact larger venues, but those events need to have a 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.

On a positive note, data now shows three vaccine candidates finished phase 3 trials with 90%+ efficacy, which provides more options and critical mass to get the nation vaccinated. Also positive, the GSA finally signed off on transition paperwork so the incoming Biden Administration can now begin to coordinate COVID-19 response and vaccine distribution across federal agencies.

Metro Nashville

As of 9:30 today, the city reported 43,920 confirmed cases, an increase of 525 since yesterday and just under 1,000 in the first two days of this week. There are currently 3,531 active cases in Nashville, 40,032 inactive or recovered cases and 423 active hospitalizations. With 357 deaths, the city has a case fatality rate of 0.82%. In Davidson County, 625,003 tests have been administered with an overall positive rate of 8.5% (and a 7-day testing percent positive of 10.6%).

Out of 8 metrics on the trend lines, Nashville has 2 in the green, 2 in the yellow and 4 in the red - transmission rate, 14-day new case trend, new cases per 100,000 residents and ICU bed availability. With a goal for transmission to be less than 1.0, the city's current transmission rate is 1.1 is in the red. 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 15% availability, and ICU beds remain in the red with current availability at 9% 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 67.5 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 10.6% (up from 8.9% last week).

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 1,304 new cases of COVID-19 with the state total hitting 345,854. There are currently 2,116 hospitalizations (up 30 since the day before) and 4,374 deaths (up 73 in 24 hours) for a death rate of 1.26. A little more than 4.3 million tests have been administered statewide (up 5,448 in 24 hours) with a 17.99% positive rate for the day. The number of inactive/recovered cases statewide is 303,234 as of this afternoon.

As of yesterday afternoon (Monday, Nov. 23), the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) confirmed an additional 4,074 new cases of COVID-19 with the state total hitting 344,550 (up more than 20,000 in less than a week). On Monday, there were 2,091 hospitalizations and 4,301 deaths (up 35 in 24 hours) for a death rate of 1.25. A little more than 4.3 million tests have been administered statewide (up 28,457 in 24 hours) with a 14.06% positive rate for the day. The number of inactive/recovered cases statewide was 296,592 as of yesterday.