As has been said nationally and internationally, it's been a tough year for Nashville. From the tornadoes to COVID to a Christmas Day bombing that has left all of us shaken and sad, we are looking forward to putting 2020 in the rearview mirror. The pandemic continues to rage with Tennessee among the worst states in the country for per capita cases (after leading the nation, Tennessee has slipped into second place behind California).

Of course, there's much for which we are thankful, as well - the way our community comes together to support our neighbors in times of trouble, the brave police officers who ran into danger to evacuate those in harm's way, that the bomber succeeded only in killing himself, the COVID vaccines that are beginning to be distributed (and made possible in part by the contributions of Nashvillians!), and the hardworking healthcare teams that care for patients fighting the virus and other illnesses. We also think it's important to say the 'healthcare teams' are certainly made up of the doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists providing direct care but also the pharmacists, techs, custodial staff, administrators and support personnel that keep clinics, testing sites and hospitals running. It takes the entire team to keep moving forward. To all who have pitched in during this difficult year, please know we see you, we recognize you, and we cheer your dedication!

Metro Nashville

As of 9:30 today, the city reported 66,916 confirmed cases, an increase of 192 in 24 hours. There are currently 7,459 active cases in Nashville, 58,988 inactive or recovered cases and 474 active hospitalizations. With 459 deaths, the city has a case fatality rate of 0.69%. In Davidson County, 795,875 tests have been administered with an overall positive rate of 9.8% (and a 7-day testing percent positive of 15%).

Out of 8 metrics on the trend lines, Nashville has 2 in the green, 3 in the yellow and 3 in the red - transmission rate, 14-day new case trend and new cases per 100,000 residents. With a goal for transmission to be less than 1.00, the city's current transmission rate of 1.21. The 14-day case trend continues in the red with new cases categorized as increasing. 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 19% availability, and ICU beds rose to current availability of 15% capacity. The goal for both hospital and ICU bed capacity is 20%. I

The New Cases per 100K Residents has remained in the red for the last few weeks but has taken a sharp uptick recently. The goal of the seven-day rolling average is to be less than 10. Currently, Nashville sits at 91.2 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 is in the yellow with a rate of 15%.

More detailed data is available on the Metro Dashboard. Click here for details.

Nashville remains in a modified Phase 3 of COVID Reopening with new restrictions having been put in place over the last couple of weeks, including the Rule of 8 for indoor gatherings without a pre-approved event plan. 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 February 27.

Tennessee State

As of this afternoon, the Tennessee Department of Health reported 567,792 cases of COVID-19 across the state (up 3,712 from yesterday) with 483,525 cases defined as recovered or inactive. Currently, there are 2,983 hospitalizations (a net increase of 130 over yesterday), and 6,588 deaths from the virus statewide (an increase of 76 in 24 hours) for a death rate of 1.16. The state has conducted more than 5.5 million tests (an increase of 13,344 in 24 hours) with a 22.96% positivity rate for yesterday. Hospital capacities have improved some from last week with 17% of floor beds (1,954 beds) and 14% of ICU beds (281 beds) available statewide.

For information on vaccination distribution, visit the TDH vaccine dashboard at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/covid-19-vaccine-information.html. This dashboard is updated each Tuesday and Friday.