Source: TN Dept. of HealthThe Tennessee Department of Health has reported a total of 145,417 cases of COVID-19 across the state, up 813 cases since Monday on 15,105 new test results.
Of the total cases, 108,035 people have recovered, 6,515 have been hospitalized and 1,628 have died — up 1,994, 94 and 40, respectively, from the numbers 24 hours earlier.
The number of active cases in Tennessee has remained relatively flat in the past two weeks, signaling a slowing of the virus’ spread as testing volumes recover from backlogs and the statewide positivity rate incrementally drops. On Tuesday, the state reported 35,754 residents are currently infected with COVID-19.
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has fallen nearly 20 percent from the figure two weeks ago, with the state reporting 923 people currently hospitalized throughout 108 facilities and making up about 11 percent of all hospitalizations statewide. Another 176 hospitalized individuals are awaiting test results.
In terms of capacity, the state reports that 19 percent of inpatient beds and 18 percent of ICU beds remain available. Nearly 69 percent of the state’s ventilator supply — which was low in March until officials acquired about 1,000 more — is still available.
Metro Public Health Department officials reported 58 new cases of COVID-19 since Monday, bringing the countywide case count to 25,384. Of those cases, more than 23,000 people have recovered and 220 people have died.
As of Monday morning, nearly 18 percent of all inpatient beds and 13 percent of ICU beds in Middle Tennessee were available, both in what public health officials define as “cautionary” levels.
Metro issues guidance on interscholastic activities in schools
The Metro Pubic Health Department on Tuesday released guidance recommending Davidson County schools suspend interscholastic sporting events until each of the participating schools determines its students can safely attend classes in person.
In late July, Metro issued guidance for no in-person interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities until at least after Labor Day. Then the health department says sporting events should be held outdoors with attendance limitations of no more than two spectators per student athlete. No general student body attendance will be allowed, including marching bands. According to the guidance — read more on it here — all spectators must wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Hall of Fame to reopen Sept. 10
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Tuesday announced it will reopen its gallery to the public on Sept. 10 with a mask mandate and entry limitations.
In compliance with the the city’s “Good to Go” program, the museum will conduct temperature screenings on all staff and guests as well as implement intensive cleaning protocols to limit the spread of COVID within the facility and among its staff and visitors. The facility has also adopted timed ticketing and touchless transactions to regulate the flow of guests and limit contact with high-use surfaces such as credit card machines.
“We closed March 13, and since that day we have been anticipating and preparing for the museum’s reopening,” said CEO Kyle Young. “The museum places its highest premium on health and safety. Because there has been steady improvement in the number of COVID-19 cases and a significant decline in transmission rates locally plus a decrease in new cases nationally over the past four weeks, we have decided to reopen. The museum experience will be slightly different [… b]ut our commitment to sharing the country music story has not changed.”
Tours of the museum’s Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B sites will resume in a limited capacity and its Taylor Swift Education center will remained closed for the time being. Members of the museum will gain access to the exhibits a day earlier on Sept. 9.
State taps Centerstone to provide free counseling in 21 counties
The state has partnered with Nashville-based behavioral health provider Centerstone to provide free short-term counseling and other resources across 21 counties.
Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a part of the Tennessee Recovery Project, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services tapped the local company to support those whose mental health has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are a lot of people out there dealing with stress, anxiety, fear, and depression, who are hurting right now,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams. “We want people to know that it’s OK to not feel OK right now and that help is available.”
Centerstone will serve residents and organizations with counseling and resource connection in these counties: Bedford, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Perry, Robertson, Stewart and Wayne.
“Our team is here to provide practical and emotional support that will help lessen the long-term negative effects of COVID-19, with an emphasis on emotional well-being,” said Sherry Randles, Centerstone’s director of crisis services. “We are promoting resiliency and recovery for Tennesseans, educating individuals and leaders on ways to cope and connect with local services as we get through this pandemic together.”
