This post contains updates on the spread of coronavirus in Tennessee from March 22-28. For a more recent live blog, click here.
One Dead Following Evacuation Of Gallatin Nursing Home
Saturday, March 28 at 5:13 p.m.
Gallatin officials have confirmed the death of one patient after 24 residents were evacuated from the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing last night. The age and gender of the patient is unknown. It would be at least the seventh death in the state.
The news comes after several residents and employees tested positive earlier in the week. Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown now says all of the nursing home’s residents and employees will be tested for COVID-19.
“This virus is tough on all of us in the community that just know it’s out there and it exists,” said Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown.
Brown says the city is actively working with the state and county health departments. She says the remaining patients are being treated at the Sumner Regional Medical Center.
— Damon Mitchell
State Officials Respond To Calls For Kentuckians To Avoid Tennessee
Saturday, March 28 at 4:20 p.m.
State leaders are responding to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear after calls for residents to stay out of Tennessee.
During a press conference on Friday, Beshear told Kentuckians that visiting the neighboring state would increase the spread of coronavirus.
“I can’t control that Tennessee has not taken the steps that we have,” said Beshear. “And what it means, because obviously you can drive anywhere, is that if someone does decide they want to go out to eat, and goes to a crowded restaurant in Tennessee, they bring back that coronavirus here in Kentucky.”
Tennessee has a significantly larger population than Kentucky. The state has also administered more COVID-19 test.
Health department data show that Kentucky has tested 5,123 residents compared to 18,338 in Tennessee.
On Sunday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a statewide order limiting bars and restaurants to takeout, delivery and drive-thru services only.
“As the Volunteer State we will help our neighbors in any way as they navigate this crisis,” said Laine Arnold, a spokesperson for Lee. “And would welcome engagement with Kentucky on how to rapidly scale testing as we’ve done and continue to do.”
— Damon Mitchell
Rutherford County Schools To Offer Distance Learning Curriculum
Saturday, March 28 at 3:23 p.m.
Rutherford County Schools will offer distance learning instructions to students beginning the week of April 6.
School leaders say they want to keep students engaged during the shutdown, but that participation is not mandatory. Teachers will be expected to add assignments to their websites each week. They will provide feedback to students, but lessons will not be graded.
Students without computer access will be able to borrow a device from individual schools. The district says it will provide printed materials to families as needed.
From March 30 to April 3, the RCS food program will shutdown for spring break. Students can get meals at the Nourish Food Bank (1809 Memorial Blvd.), or contact LifePoint Church at www.lifepointchurch.org.
After spring break, the district’s food program will expand to 26 locations:
The following 10 sites will offer both breakfast and lunch (pre-bagged) from 8 to 10 a.m.:
• Cedar Grove Elementary
• David Youree Elementary
• Kittrell Elementary
• LaVergne Lake Elementary
• Oakland High
• Riverdale High
• Roy Waldron Elementary
• Smyrna Middle
• Stewartsboro Elementary
• Whitworth-Buchanan Middle
The expanded 16 sites will offer hot food from 8 to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon daily:
• Barfield Elementary
• Buchanan Elementary
• Central Magnet School
• Christiana Elementary
• Christiana Middle
• John Colemon Elementary
• LaVergne High
• LaVergne Middle
• LaVergne Primary
• McFadden School of Excellence
• Oakland Middle
• Rocky Fork Elementary
• Rocky Fork Middle
• Smyrna Elementary
• Smyrna High
• Smyrna Primary
As of now, school officials say there are no plans to reschedule graduation dates. Prom dates are being rescheduled by high school administrators.
— Damon Mitchell
Tennessee Launches New Jobs Initiative
Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m.
The state of Tennessee announced a new jobs initiative for workers impacted by the spread of coronavirus.
Over 39,000 Tennesseans filed new unemployment claims last week. The state says they are preparing for numbers to increase as more cities have issued stay-at-home orders.
The initiative, called the Tennessee Talent Exchange, is in partnership with the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association, the Tennessee Retail Association, and Hospitality Tennessee.
“As our industry is working double-time to keep shelves stocked, we are more than excited to be working with the state of Tennessee to bring furloughed workers onto out companies’ payrolls,” said Rob Ikard, president of the state’s grocery trade association.
The public-private partnership says the retail industry is experiencing a surge in business. Some companies have immediate job openings. People can apply for jobs at www.Jobs4TN.gov.
— Damon Mitchell
Metro Schools Providing Additional Learning Support To Students, Holding Virtual Town Hall
Saturday, March 28 at 12 p.m.
Metro Nashville Public Schools will offer additional support to parents and students next week, including printed learning materials.
School officials say the district doesn’t have the capacity to implement a distance learning curriculum, but are working to provide students with the resources they need.
“That printed material will match what is going to be offered online in the form of two learning supports that teachers and students can use,” said MNPS superintendent Adrienne Battle.
Battle says the materials will available at the district’s meal sites.
The support comes as education officials enlist PBS to broadcast TV lessons based on state learning standards to Tennessee students starting April 6. Programming will run on weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The stations will also air four hours of content overnight. The broadcasts can be watched live or recorded.
Metro schools will also provide computers to high school seniors who need access to technology programs to graduate. On Monday, the district will hold a virtual town hall to answer questions about the district’s COVID-19 response, broadcast live on the Metro Nashville Network from 3 to 4 p.m.
“We’ve been planning for both the short term and long term as a result of our facilities being closed,” said Battle. “Our first priority was implementing and communicating plans for students, staff and families related to digital instructional tools and nutritional support. Our facilities are closed through April 24, but we’re developing plans should the entire school year be ended.”
— Damon Mitchell
Faith Leaders Urge Congregations To Stay Home As Health Officials Announce More Cases
Saturday, March 28 at 11:20 a.m.
The Metro Coronavirus Task Force says 64 more residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Nashville now has 376 confirmed cases.
The majority of patients are self-isolating with manageable symptoms, while 63 have recovered. Two Davidson County residents have died, and 14 are hospitalized.
Officials expect an increase in confirmed cases as testing ramps up with the addition of three new COVID-19 assessment centers.
“These centers will open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said Metro health board chair Alex Jahangir.
Jahangi says the centers are for Nashville residents only, and residents will be given tests only if deemed necessary by health providers.
As the city works to slow the spread of the virus, faith leaders are also calling on congregations to maintain social distancing ahead of Sunday services. As of today, 71% of the state has a confirmed case.
“Many of our faith communities are gathering or hoping to gather, but I want to encourage you to gather … in small groups,” said Joseph Walker, senior pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. “I believe it is important now for us to lean on the innovation and creativity that technology affords us.”
— Damon Mitchell
Patients Evacuated From Gallatin Nursing Home
Saturday, March 28 at 8:19 a.m.
Over a dozen patients at the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing were transported to Sumner Regional Medical Center last night.
Officials say several of the 19 patients have already tested positive for COVID-19. The others were showing symptoms and transported as a precaution. The patients were evaluated at the nursing home before being hospitalized.
“This spread within one facility is indicative of the seriousness of this virus,” said Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown. “And how much it can spread in a very short period of time.”
Brown says she was made aware of concerns about the facility on Wednesday. An employee at the nursing center tested positive earlier in the week.
Sumner Regional says they’re working with health departments to treat the positive cases, and are expanding their capacity in the case of a surge in critically ill patients.
“Our critical care team has been at work preparing additional isolation units,” says Sumner Regional CEO Susan Peach. “Our facilities in Carthage and Hartsville are also ready to accept patients.”
— Damon Mitchell
Nashville Restaurants Struggling To Stay Open
Friday, March 27 at 3:35 p.m.
Nashville restaurants are struggling to stay open as residents shelter at home.
Service industry leaders say that before COVID-19, they were approaching a record-breaking year.
“I’m asking Nashvillians that if you in the past have eaten out twice a week. Go four times,” said Rob Mortensen, president of Hospitality Tennessee, during a Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce webinar. “Go pick it up, bring it home to your family. … It might bring a little bit of normalcy to your lives.”
Mortensen says the hospitality industry has had close to an 80% downturn. This includes a 50% decrease in the city’s hotel and airport occupancy compared to the same period in 2019, according to Music City Center.
This afternoon, bus tour company Gray Line Tennessee laid off 198 workers.
He says he’s been working with the governor’s office to loosen rules on alcohol to help restaurants boost profits. Nashville has allowed beer sellers to get permits for curbside pickup and delivery.
— Damon Mitchell
Tennessee Deploys National Guard As Cases Top 1,200
Friday, March 27 at 3:07 p.m.
Tennessee has officially surpassed 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. According to the latest data released this afternoon, 1,203 people have tested positive, with the largest numbers in Davidson and Shelby counties. The state has also increased its official death toll to six Tennesseans.
But at a press conference this afternoon in Memphis, Gov. Bill Lee said the state is making “great progress” in its efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
“We’re making tremendous strides in procurement of personal equipment, in the expansion of bed capacity in the future, in the steps for testing and for assessment,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes of the Tennessee Department of Military said 250 members of the National Guard were mobilized this week, and 150 have already been deployed throughout the state.
“We chose that number, because we’ve got to stay ahead of the wave. We cannot afford to wait until the need arrives,” Holmes said. “There’s too many needs that are continuing to pop up, and when you don’t really know where that need is going to arise, you have to go in with a very large reserve force.”
Holmes said that most of the reserve members being activated are medical professionals, including combat medics and nurses. Most will grouped in small teams of three or four and will move throughout the state as needed.
However, Gov. Lee is still resisting calls to implement a statewide stay-at-home mandate. Lee said he’s been in touch with other governors who have also chosen not to issue shelter-in-place orders, and that for now, he’s leaving it up to local governments to decide. Lee added that all of Tennessee’s most populous counties have already issued their own orders, requiring all nonessential personnel to stay home.
“These are the decisions that require real discernment, because we know that, for every business that closes, jobs are lost and livelihoods are powerfully impacted,” Lee said. “Tennesseans have shut down. This state is largely closed down, except for the number of folks that are moving around for appropriate reasons.”
— Samantha Max
WeGo Reduces Services Due To Low Ridership
Friday, March 27 at 1:46 p.m.
Nashville’s public transit agency announced this afternoon that it will limit service, starting March 30. WeGo says ridership is down about 60%, as people avoid public spaces where the coronavirus can easily spread.
WeGo spokesperson Amanda Clelland says ridership was already starting to slump after the tornadoes earlier in the month, since schools were closed.
Tony Gonzalez WPLN NewsNashville bus service is cutting back during the pandemic.
For the time being, buses will operate on a “Saturday+” schedule. That means most routes will follow a Saturday schedule, even during the week — and some routes won’t run at all.
WeGo says weekend service won’t change. Some routes will even add extra trips at 5:40 a.m. Most regional buses and trains will also still run, but less frequently.
Access on Demand will still be available for riders in need, but access trips will run only between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
— Samantha Max
Second Davidson County Resident Dies
Friday, March 27 at 12:48 p.m.
A second Davidson County resident has died from complications of COVID-19. The patient was a 67-year-old man with underlying health conditions. The local number of confirmed cases has reached 312, with 12 people currently hospitalized and 55 fully recovered.
(Last weekend, a non-resident of Davidson County died after being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.)
But Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, expects those numbers to rise significantly once testing becomes more widely available in the coming days.
“It might be tempting to conclude that asking the citizens of Nashville to shelter at home, disrupting lives and dragging the economy to a crawl, may have been a waste of effort and time,” Hildreth said at a press briefing this morning. “It has not been. The science shows us that there are many persons out there living with the virus. They are not aware of that. And, as soon as we start the testing, it will become clear that there are a lot of individuals who are carrying the COVID-19 disease.”
The Metro Public Health Department announced today that the state’s COVID-19 Unified Command will deliver swabs and other supplies by the end of the day. With testing kits finally on-hand, the health department expects two assessment centers by Monday — one at Nissan Stadium and the other on Murfreesboro Pike, at the old Kmart building. A third center is also slated to open soon at Meharry Medical College.
— Samantha Max
All Options On The Table For Metro’s Budget
Friday, March 27 at 12:48 p.m.
Mayor John Cooper said he’s is considering all options to keep the city’s finances afloat. Metro has announced a hiring freeze and a travel freeze for all employees. Cooper has also delayed the budget process a bit and said the city is reevaluating its plans for capital spending.
“As is well known, the city already had a problem before the tornado or before the virus,” he said.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper speaks at a daily pandemic briefing.
The mayor said it’s still unclear how far down revenue is at the moment, or what the impact could be further down the line, as social distancing continues. For now, the mayor is considering “all of the tools” at his disposal, including refinancing the city’s debt.
But Cooper said he’s focusing on the short-term impact, first.
“Our first commitment has to be help our employees and the city get through this. And we’re gonna think of the city, frankly, as the crisis response,” Cooper said. “And then we look forward to having the post-crisis response, which is back to building a great city. But, for right now, everything is going to have to be looked at.”
— Samantha Max
Tracing Tennessee’s COVID-19 Cases In Charts
Friday, March 27 at 9:16 a.m.
It’s been three weeks since Tennessee’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Williamson County. And since then, the Department of Health has reported nearly 1,000 cases and three deaths statewide.
But numbers can be misleading. So WPLN News Morning Edition host Rachel Iacovone has created three interactive infographics, to provide some context.
These visuals are based on the number of confirmed cases reported by the Tennessee Department of Health each day at 2 p.m. and will be updated regularly.
Here are some trends we’ve noticed so far:
- The number of confirmed cases is rising each day, but there’s often some inconsistency between state and local data, due to lag times in reporting.
- Residents in more than half of Tennessee counties have tested positive for the virus.
- As testing becomes more readily available, case counts are expected to grow.
- Younger adults account for many of the state’s COVID-19 cases. More than a quarter are between 21 and 30 years old.
For more information and future updates, check back here.
— Samantha Max
Fort Campbell Notes First COVID Case
Friday, March 27 at 8:01 a.m.
Fort Campbell has recorded its first case of COVID-19, just days after 200 of its medical personnel deployed to help stop the spread in New York.
The Army says the patient is a dependent of a military retiree at the post. They are now isolated at home, off post.
Officials say they are tracing the patient’s recent contacts to determine whether any others have been exposed.
Fort Campbell sits on the Tennessee-Kentucky border — states which have vastly different transmission rates. Kentucky has 250 confirmed cases, while Tennessee’s count is nearly 1,000.
— Tony Gonzalez
MTSU Reports First On-Campus Student Case
Friday, March 27 at 7:56 a.m.
As students returned to MTSU’s residence halls this week, the university reported its first COVID case for an on-campus student.
That student, who lived in a private bedroom, is self-isolating. Health officials are tracing prior contacts and advising them of next steps.
The university president says meals will be delivered to any on-campus student in self-quarantine. The preference, however, is that students isolate at a family home or their personal home, if available.
And the president says it’s likely that more illness will come to campus.
MTSU extended its spring break before allowing residence halls to reopen. Most staff are working remotely, and online classes began Monday.
The university is periodically updating a website with virus information.
— Tony Gonzalez
Metro Delays Budget As Financial ‘Sand Moves Under Our Feet’
Friday, March 27 at 7:45 a.m.
The Metro Nashville government is scrambling to save money after the back-to-back tornado and pandemic disasters. The city has entered a hiring freeze, stopped any out-of-town travel and is asking leaders to hunt for other savings.
The mayor is also postponing the delivery of his budget by a few weeks. It was initially targeted for release on Tuesday.
In a memo sent Thursday night, Finance Director Kevin Crumbo says his team is trying to prepare for a major economic hit as the “sand moves under our feet.”
Courtesy Metro Nashville Network (File) Metro Finance Director Kevin Crumbo speaks to the Metro Council. WPLN/File
“There are many unknowns about the economic impact of the pandemic,” the memo says. “We must take steps now to reduce our spending.”
He expects a significant decline in tax revenue for Metro, but vowed to make decisions so as to “not impair essentials services to the public.”
The memo says Metro needs more time to understand the pandemic, but is moving immediately to reduce spending, including on capital projects that aren’t related to the storm or pandemic.
The Metro Council’s budget chairman, meanwhile, estimates in a blog post that the city could take a hit of as much as $300 million. And that total could greatly change by the day.
— Tony Gonzalez
Diapers As Makeshift Respirators Intensify Call For Statewide Stay Home Order
Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m.
Tennessee health officials are advising doctors on what makeshift products could replace protective equipment to see coronavirus patients. They include bandanas, swim goggles and trash bags.
“This is in the United States of America that I’ve been asked by the Tennessee Department of Health to Velcro a diaper around my face because I don’t have an N95 mask to be able to wear to see patients,” Dr. Sonal Gupta said on a video conference with reporters, calling the prospect “ridiculous.”
Gupta is a primary care physician in Brentwood. She says her husband, who is an anesthesiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been given one face shield to clean and reuse until further notice.
The Guptas are among more than 2,000 Tennessee doctors and nurses who have petitioned Gov. Bill Lee day after day. They want him to issue an immediate stay-at-home order to try to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the need for protective equipment.
Lee addressed the concerns during the state’s daily afternoon briefing.
“You hear about a lot of makeshift things happening, but there’s not makeshift happening in our state yet because we have stayed ahead of the curve,” he said.
Lee Chides Rural Communities
Gov. Lee did say he is consulting daily with epidemiologists, business leaders and fellow governors and is open to eventually issuing such an order.
Today, Lee’s administration launched a statewide public service campaign called “Do your part – Stay apart” that features messages from lawmakers and celebrities.
During his daily press briefing, he called out restaurants still allowing patrons inside and even churches that haven’t adopted alternative methods for worship.
“If you’re a rural church out there who thinks it doesn’t matter what happens in rural Tennessee because the virus may not have shown up in your county yet…it matters,” he said.
The Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet met in defiance of the state’s recommendation on Sunday. Pastor Greg Locke now tells the Tennessean the service will move outside.
— Jason Moon Wilkins
Nashville Hospitals Begin Receiving Donations
Thursday, March 26 at 12:05 p.m.
At a time when hospitals across the country lack enough personal protection equipment to stop the spread of coronavirus, four hospital providers in Nashville have received hundreds of thousands of items to help doctors and nurses safely fight the disease.
Courtesy of Healing Hands International Healing Hands International donated thousands of N95 masks, surgical loop masks, nitrile gloves and isolation gowns.
Healing Hands International donated the gear this week. Among the items given by the organization are N95 masks, surgical loop masks, nitrile gloves and isolation gowns.
Ascension Saint Thomas, TriStar Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Williamson Medical Center benefitted from the donations.
Smaller facilities also received some of the equipment.
“While our daily work and mission is focused on developing countries outside the borders of the U.S., this is a critical time and a unique opportunity to use the resources that our generous donors have provided to be a blessing in our own country and community,” Art Woods, the president of Healing Hands International, said in a statement.
“Our healthcare workers and hospitals are under a great deal of pressure and in need of supplies. It is our prayer that this will equip them on the frontlines as they battle this virus, and that it will bring glory to God.”
— Sergio Martínez-Beltrán
Youngest COVID-19 Patient In Nashville Is 2-Months-Old
Thursday, March 26 at 10:05 a.m.
Metro Nashville officials said Thursday that the number of patients who have tested positive to COVID-19 has climbed to 293.
The youngest patient is 2 months old. The baby’s symptoms are mild, officials said. The ages of patients in Nashville now range from 0 to 94.
Overall, the city has given over 3,000 tests.
Meanwhile, three shelters for homeless have opened. One will house healthy folks, another will house those who have been tested for COVID19 but are awaiting results. A third facility will house people who have tested positive but do not need to be hospitalized.
— Sergio Martínez-Beltrán
Localities Adjusting To E-Meetings
Thursday, March 26 at 9:22 a.m.
Local governments are adjusting to the outbreak by taking their meetings to electronic formats.
The shift was authorized by one of the governor’s executive orders last week. It requires localities to provide public access or to post recordings as soon as possible.
The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government has been tracking how agencies respond and finds a range of methods. The Knoxville City Council used a video conference call, with its members attending from home. Clarksville did the same when adopting its state-of-emergency declaration earlier this week and posted the video the following day. Those officials have since shifted to livestreaming both online and on local TV.
In contrast, the Hickman County commissioners met in person, but directed the public to watch a stream on Facebook.
— Tony Gonzalez
Veterans Affairs Encourages Remote Care Options
Thursday, March 26 at 8:36 a.m.
Tennessee’s healthcare system for military veterans is encouraging social isolation, social distancing and remote methods of getting care.
The Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System says technology will help. Phone or video appointments can be arranged and the system is encouraging veterans to start online at www.myhealth.va.gov.
The local VA system includes hospitals in Nashville and Murfreesboro and a dozen clinics.
— Tony Gonzalez
Unemployment Claims Spike, Setting National Record
Thursday, March 26 at 8:21 a.m.
Tennessee, like the rest of the nation, has seen a huge jump in unemployment.
Federal figures out this morning show a record-breaking 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment last week. That includes more than 39,000 Tennesseans who made initial filings. Nearly half of the new claims came from Middle Tennessee.
The Tennessean reports many of the job losses in the state are coming from the restaurant, hospitality and tourism industries.
Between March 8 and 16, Tennesseans filing for unemployment benefits more than doubled over the prior week.
At the same time, a few companies, including Dollar General, Pepsi, Walmart, and Amazon, are hiring to meet increased demand.
— Tony Gonzalez
Clarksville Enforces Closure Order At Bars
Thursday, March 26 at 6:56 a.m.
Police in Clarksville have started to enforce the state and local orders that closed bars and limited restaurants to takeout and delivery.
The city says officers visited three bars that were still serving customers on Tuesday night and that bar owners quickly complied when informed of the orders. The police chief says some confusion was to be expected, but that the city wants to show it will monitor compliance.
Clarksville is among the cities that has gone a step further than Gov. Bill Lee, by also explicitly closing movie theaters, bowling alleys and yoga studios. The governor said yesterday that he’s serious about enforcing his orders and has been talking with law enforcement across the state.
“And when this sickness can be mitigated — the spread of it, the rapid nature of it and consequently the challenges to our health care system because of rapid spread — when it can be mitigated by behavior, we are serious about that behavior,” Lee said.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Department of the Military, which includes the National Guard, says it has deployed to assist in fighting coronavirus but will not lead law enforcement operations.
— Tony Gonzalez
Symphony Postponements Extended Into May
Thursday, March 26 at 6:50 a.m.
The Nashville Symphony is suspending more performances, now stretching through May 12.
That brings the total postponed concerts to nearly 20. The symphony says it’s trying to reschedule all of the performances.
— Tony Gonzalez
Tennessee Courts To Remain Closed Through Next Month
Wednesday, March 25 at 4:04 p.m.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued an order requiring both state and local courts to continue to suspend most in-person proceedings through the end of next month. The mandate extends a previous order, which had halted most courtroom activity until March 31.
“The [Supreme] Court has been monitoring the public health crisis very closely, and it is clear we need to extend the order,” Chief Justice Jeff Bivins wrote in a statement.
Courts are still open for business, but at limited capacity. Exceptions have been made for urgent proceedings, like bond hearings, protective and emergency child custody orders. Judges have been encouraged to use email, phone and video conferencing whenever possible.
Today’s announcement also instructs judges not to move forward with eviction cases, provides alternative ways to notarize documents, and makes a few other clarifications to the earlier order.
In addition, Bivins is requiring each judicial district’s presiding judge to submit a plan to the Supreme Court that lays out ways to reduce its local jail population.
“Reduction in local jail populations is a critical component in controlling the spread of COVID-19,” Bivins said. “There are low-risk, non-violent offenders who can safely be released and supervised by other means to reduce local jail populations. Judges, law enforcement, and attorneys must work together to identify and create an action plan to address this issue.”
The statute of limitations and orders of protection that would expire between March 13 and April 30 have also been extended through May 6.
— Samantha Max
Nashville’s Disaster Assistance Centers Close
Wednesday, March 25 at 2:37 p.m.
Davidson County’s three Disaster Assistance Centers in Davidson county closed today in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The facilities, located at East Park, Hadley and Hermitage community centers were opened to offer in-person support to individuals and businesses recovering from tornadoes earlier this month.
The centers will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
Assistance is still available online or via phone call. Survivors can reach FEMA at DisasterAssitance.gov or 800-621-3362. Applications for assistance from the Tennessee Department of Human Services are available online.
The Metro Social Services office will remain open with abbreviated walk-in hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Metro Action Commission will continue operating normal business hours.
In-person visitors are asked to practice social distancing and public health precautions when seeking services.
— Samantha Zern
State Asks Graduate Students, Retirees to Enter Counseling Workforce
Wednesday, March 25 at 2:15 p.m.
The Tennessee Departments of Children’s Services (DCS) and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TMDHSAS) are asking masters-level students and retirees in the fields of counseling, therapy and social work to consider filling workforce needs during the coronavirus outbreak.
”COVID-19 has caused the operations of many businesses and families to pause. It does not however, permit our department to do the same,” DCS Commissioner Jennifer Nichols said in a press release.
Marie Williams, TDMHSAS commissioner, said in the press release that the departments have been asked to be agile in their staffing.
The state is collecting names of those who may be interested in seeking employment with either the DCS or the TDMHSAS. Currently, there are positions open with the Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County and in the four state-operated psychiatric hospitals in Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Bolivar.
— Samantha Zern
Public Television Stations Providing At-Home Learning to Tennessee Students
Wednesday, March 25 at 12:43 p.m.
The Tennessee Department of Education and local education agencies are partnering with public television stations to provide at-home educational content to students as schools remain closed. The department says content for these stations will be developed in partnership with Tennessee educators as a way to provide ongoing instruction to all students, regardless of their internet connectivity at home.
Metro Nashville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle announced the district’s partnership with Nashville Public Television at the mayor’s daily coronavirus update on Wednesday, noting that the additional programming is part of the district’s strategic plan to reach all students in the city.
Nashville Public Television president Kevin Crane said that NPT’s at-home programming will utilize PBS programs and local productions to cover topics in science and history for students of all ages.
“NPT has always been known for our early childhood programming, which provides a foundation for lifetime learning for our youngest viewers. This new block of programming is targeted to middle and high school students to meet their at home learning needs.”
Programming will begin across the state’s six PBS stations on April 6. Nashville Public Television will begin its new programming on March 30 and will run from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekday.
— Samantha Zern
Nashville To Open Three Facilities For The Homeless
Wednesday, March 25 at 11:47 a.m.
Metro leaders announced Wednesday that the city will open at least three new facilities for homeless Nashvillians to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Each new facility will serve a different need: one will be for those who are well and want to practice social distancing, another for those awaiting coronavirus test results, and a third for those who have tested positive for coronavirus but do not need hospitalization.
Metro Social Services and the Homeless Impact Division are currently working to determine when these resources will become available, as well as the locations and capacities for each facility.
— Samantha Zern
Young Adults Are Prevalent In Tennessee’s Infection Stats
Wednesday, March 25 at 11:45 a.m.
In Nashville and across Tennessee, young adults are accounting for a large share of confirmed coronavirus cases.
For Tennessee, 29% of all cases are in the 21-30 age range.
In Nashville, the age breakdown is less precise, but city numbers show 76% of cases are ages 18 to 49. That leads Metro Public Health Director Michael Caldwell to urge everyone, regardless of age, to practice social distancing.
“We are grateful that the hospitalization rate is so low, but that can change,” he said Wednesday.
The coronavirus spreads through people of all ages, but the symptoms are considered most risky for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
WPLN News is using Tennessee Department of Health statistics, which are updated daily at 2 p.m., for the following chart showing the age breakdown of cases:
— Tony Gonzalez and Rachel Iacovone
Nashville TSA Agent Tests Positive
Wednesday, March 25 at 10:24 a.m.
A security checkpoint agent at Nashville International Airport has tested positive for COVID-19, and is now among about two dozen confirmed TSA employee cases nationwide.
The Transportation Security Administration says the checkpoint officer last worked a week ago Wednesday on an overnight shift from 3 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The TSA is regularly updating a map and chart of its diagnosed employees. It shows those who are currently undergoing a 14-day quarantine.
— Tony Gonzalez
Nashville Closes Playgrounds And Recreation Areas
Wednesday, March 25 at 9:57 a.m.
Nashville leaders say too many people have been gathering in large groups at recreation areas. So as of Wednesday, the city is closing all playgrounds, dog parks, picnic shelters, skate parks, and basketball and tennis courts. The closure is in effect until further notice.
“Our staff monitored certain sites and noticed areas of crowding and close contacts,” Metro Parks Director Monique Odom said in a statement. “While we want to offer people safe and viable recreational options during this time, we also want to make sure we help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Park green spaces, greenways, trails and golf courses will stay open.
The city said Wednesday morning that three people are currently hospitalized with coronavirus and that 34 have recovered. Nashville leads the state in confirmed cases. Of those, 76% are in the age range of 18 to 49.
— Tony Gonzalez
Metro Opens New Coronavirus Hotline
Wednesday, March 25 at 9:56 a.m.
The Metro Public Health Department’s coronavirus hotline opened Wednesday at 7 a.m. and can be reached at (615) 862-7777.
The coronavirus hotline, which is staffed by Metro Public Health officials, will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Officials say as many as 15 call takers will handle the phone line, including nurses and other health professionals.
Interpretation services will be available in Spanish, Arabic and other languages.
— Samantha Zern
Metro Health Department At 7 a.m. Wednesday, Metro opened its own coronavirus hotline and call center.
Mayor Launches Food Security Working Group
Wednesday, March 25 at 9:15 a.m.
The Nashville mayor’s office announced the creation of a food security working group Tuesday. Its aim will be to ensure food access to families in need and finding employment solutions for restaurant and hospitality workers.
The group is chaired by Nancy Keil, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and includes members from Metro Schools, Kroger, Amazon, the Red Cross and more.
“It’s going to take the collective work of this team and others to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have access to food,” Keil said in a press release.
The group will begin meetings this week.
— Samantha Zern
Dozens Of Advocates Urge State Supreme Court To Reduce Jail, Prison And Juvenile Detention Center Populations
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:14 p.m.
Nashville’s former chief public defender, Dawn Deaner, and 40 criminal justice reform groups have filed an emergency petition in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, urging officials to take drastic measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities.
The petitioners’ recommendations include:
- To immediately release from jail and juvenile detention centers anyone serving time for a low-level offense or supervision violation, at high-risk of complications from the coronavirus, locked up pretrial because they can’t afford bail, children detained on delinquency charges
- To order law enforcement to limit the number of people being admitted to jail by issuing citations instead of arresting whenever possible
- To release those who are newly arrested without requiring bail, unless they “would endanger the safety” of the public
- To exchange felony jail sentences with community-based supervision, like probation
- To immediately release from prison anyone over the age of 50, “medically fragile” or pregnant; those who have already been granted parole or have reached their parole eligibility date; people incarcerated solely for drug offenses; those who have less than three years on their sentence; and anyone who has remained in prison for 25 years or more
Jails and prisons are known to house a disproportionate number of medically vulnerable individuals. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 43.9% of U.S. prisoners and 44.7% of the country’s jail inmates have suffered from a chronic condition at some point, compared to about 30% of the general population. Gov. Bill Lee’s Criminal Justice Reinvestment Task Force recently reported that nearly 1,800 inmates in Tennessee’s prisons were 60 or older, as of 2018.
Samantha Max WPLN News (file)Nashville’s former chief public defender, Dawn Deaner, and 40 criminal justice reform groups have filed an emergency petition in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, urging officials to take drastic measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities.
Additionally, many correctional facilities don’t have adequate space for social distancing or isolation. Medical care is often limited, as well. And though jails, prisons and juvenile detention centers have closed their doors to outside visitors and volunteers, staff still pass in and out each day, potentially carrying the virus with them.
“Bold action is a necessity in Tennessee, not only for the health and well-being of all those confined in jails, juvenile detention centers and prisons, but also for the safety of the larger community,” the authors wrote.” Corrections officials are aware of this, but they are limited in what they can do to provide safety, or to reduce the populations of their facilities.”
Officials in Nashville have already started taking steps to limit the city’s jail population.
Last week, Sheriff Daron Hall expanded Davidson County’s pretrial release program and sent home work release participants and medically high-risk individuals. Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson also granted officers discretion to write citations, rather than physically arrest people, when appropriate.
In addition, Chief Public Defender Martesha Johnson has asked District Attorney Glenn Funk to consider releasing 264 people in jail with less than a year left on their sentence. The DA’s office is still in the process of reviewing the list, but 25 people were released yesterday. More are expected to be let out in the days ahead.
— Samantha Max
School Closed Until April 24, Governor Says
Tuesday, March 24 at 4:16 p.m.
Schools will remain closed until April 24, Gov. Bill Lee said in a news briefing Tuesday. He added that the state is looking into alternative options for students, including online learning.
Tennessee’s Education Commissioner, Penny Schwinn, said one of those options is a new partnership with public television stations that will be roll out starting April 6. The goal, Schwinn said, is to reach “students across the state, regardless of whether or not they have access to internet will be able to get some level of instruction.”
At the same briefing, officials said the state now has 667 confirmed cases of Coronavirus. State Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said that the number of reported cases may not be growing rapidly, but more people are being tested and there’s been a lag as labs try to catch up.
“As the demand for testing grows … the turnaround time on that testing will also grow,” she said. “Please don’t be falsely reassured that our numbers have been lower lately, as far as daily rise. I think very soon you will see a pretty significant pickup in that number.”
She urged residents to continue social distancing practices, and she said the supply of ICU beds and ventilators in the state is strong. More than 30% of ICU beds are still available and 70% of the state’s supply of ventilators.
— Meribah Knight
Nashville Asks The Public For Medical Supplies
Tuesday, March 24 at 12:11 p.m.
Nashville is asking residents, and local medical professionals not caring for Covid-19 patients, to donate their new and unused medical supplies to help the city’s response to the virus.
Metro is looking for the following donations:
- Surgical face masks & N-95 masks
- Isolation gowns
- Disposable exam gloves
- Sani-cloth wipes
- Face shields
- Hand sanitizer
- Specimen bags
- Red top viral tubes (lab supply)
- Nasal swabs (lab supply)
- Large trash cans
Anyone with unused and new medical supplies listed above can contact Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management at [email protected] or complete the donations form at https://www.asafenashville.org/personal-protective-equipment/.
For smaller donations, donors can drop off the medical supplies Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Resource Center, 218 Omohundro Place, Nashville, TN 37210
— Meribah Knight
Nashville’s Vice Mayor Creates Small Biz Task Force
Tuesday, March 24 at 12:11 p.m.
Nashville Vice Mayor Jim Shulman announced Tuesday the creation of a Small Business Task Force to help Nashville businesses impacted by the back-to-back crisis in the region — the recent tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The task force will focus on locating federal, state and private funding to help small businesses affected by the events.
“While we take necessary steps to protect our population, the Metro Council, Mayor Cooper and I agree that we must quickly determine what we can do — short term and long term — to help small businesses,” Shulman wrote in a press release.
The 24-member committee — comprising business owners and leaders from across Nashville — will create a quickly turned report for the mayor.
The plan is expected to be finalized in mid-April, officials said.
— Meribah Knight
As Cases Rise, Nashville Testing Sites Await Kits
Tuesday, March 24 at 9:57 a.m.
The chair of Metro’s board of health says there are now 253 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Davidson County.
At Nashville’s daily outbreak briefing on Tuesday morning, Dr. Alex Jahangir says the count increased by 69 cases in the past day. Four people are hospitalized.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper says the city has constructed two testing facilities — one at Nissan Stadium and another at a former K-Mart site on Murfreesboro Road.
The locations are mostly ready, the mayor said. But due to a delay in the supply of testing kits across the country, those sites have not opened.
Cooper also said the city is working on a plan for the city’s homeless population. They are working on opening facilities for those experiencing homelessness to self-quarantine while awaiting Covid test results, as well as a separate location for those who test positive for the virus. They’ve already set up nine hand-washing locations across the city.
— Meribah Knight
MAP: See Which Tennessee Counties Coronavirus Has Reached
Tuesday, March 24 at 9:28 a.m.
Through Monday, Tennessee has diagnosed 615 cases of COVID-19, including in nearly half of its counties.
About one in four cases is in Nashville, with large numbers in Shelby, Williamson and Sumner counties as well. In all, there are confirmations in 46 of 95 Tennessee counties
This animated graphic shows where COVID-19 has been confirmed in Tennessee in recent weeks.
Officials report that two people in Nashville have died.
— Rachel Iacovone
Tennessee Companies Are Making A Wide Range Of Moves
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:24 a.m.
One of Nashville’s most iconic music manufacturers is shutting its factories temporarily due to the coronavirus.
Gibson Guitars announced Monday it will provide all hourly workers in Tennessee and Montana with $1,000 in support payments, and that salaried workers at the company’s Nashville headquarters will be working from home.
Music Row magazine reports there have been no COVID-19 cases at Gibson.
Brentwood-based tech startup TAKL, meanwhile, has completely suspended operations. The company runs an app that connects customers to people who perform housework in more than 75 cities.
But the company cancelled all scheduled jobs last week, and the Nashville Business Journal reports many of its developers and engineers are now seeking new jobs.
In contrast to the hardship, Goodlettsville-based Dollar General says it is hiring up to 50,000 new temporary employees at its stores around the country.
News Channel 5 reports the company hopes to support customer and community needs at its more than 16,000 stores during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The company says most positions will be temporary, but it expects some new hires will be able to stay on long-term.
In addition, PepsiCo Beverages North America South Division is also looking to bulk up staffing. Due to the high demand for consumer goods in the region, the soda conglomerate says it’s looking to hire temporary staff immediately.
— Tony Gonzalez
Largest Cities Shift To Shelter-In-Place, But Variations Remain
Monday, March 23 at 11:21 p.m.
Tennessee’s four largest cities have now pushed their shelter-in-place orders beyond what the governor has mandated statewide.
Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga ratcheted up their rules Monday, joining Nashville in closing non-essential businesses and asking residents to follow “safer at home” guidelines.
Chattanooga’s mayor explicitly suspended public gatherings of any size, including worship, funerals or fairs.
Measures vary widely in smaller cities. Leaders in Columbia and Cookeville, for example, say they can issue guidance but don’t have legal authority to shut down businesses.
Tennessee’s latest count shows 615 cases of COVID-19 in the state. Two people have died.
— Tony Gonzalez
Tennessee Colleges Using 3D Printers To Answer Call For Medical Masks
Monday, March 23 at 11:16 p.m.
Tennessee’s community and technical colleges say they’ve responding to the call for medical supplies with an innovative approach to manufacturing.
Submitted Tennessee Higher Education CommissionHeadbands for face shields are being made by Tennessee colleges.
A half-dozen institutions — along with business partners — say they’ve started using 3D printers to manufacture hundreds of headbands that are needed for protective face shields.
They’re being assembled at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville.
The first batch is scheduled for delivery Wednesday, with leaders saying they want more colleges to join for what could be a weeks-long effort.
— Tony Gonzalez
VUMC Allows High-Risk Workers To Opt Out Of Seeing COVID Patients
Monday, March 23 at 6:10 p.m.
As Vanderbilt University Medical Center prepares for more coronavirus patients to arrive, it’s giving health care workers a way to opt out of seeing them.
VUMC announced a change in the exemption process on Monday that would allow some employees to stay away from coronavirus care.
The criteria include being over the age of 60, pregnant or having uncontrolled diabetes. Vanderbilt is requiring employees to get their physician to confirm their risk factors before granting an exemption.
Staffing has become a challenge in some coronavirus hot spots as nurses and doctors get sick or are exposed to sick patients and have to be sent home.
Vanderbilt has already reported 10 health care workers getting sick, though not from patient contact. Starting Wednesday, the medical center will begin screening every employee for symptoms before their shift.
— Blake Farmer
Clarksville And Montgomery County Add Restrictions
Monday, March 23 at 6:09 p.m.
Clarksville and Montgomery County are the latest to adopt restrictions on social gatherings and businesses. Mayors coordinated their executive orders on Monday afternoon.
They largely adopt the governor’s statewide order and go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
The mayors also specifically identify movie theaters, yoga studios, bowling alleys and indoor malls for closure. And they encourage businesses to consider special shopping hours for vulnerable residents.
Open park spaces, meanwhile, will remain open.
— Tony Gonzalez
La Vergne Closes City Lobbies, Turns To Drive-Thrus
Monday, March 23 at 6:05 p.m.
The city of La Vergne is closing the lobbies in all its buildings beginning Tuesday. The change is indefinite.
“We are asking for patience at this time of transition as we work to find the best way to continue to serve you while also keeping our employees safe,” says Mayor Jason Cole.
The city says transactions for business licenses, water bills, and court and property tax payments will take place out of a drive-thru at city hall.
— Damon Mitchell
Tennessee Forms Unified Command To Coordinate Outbreak Response
Monday, March 23 at 4:57 p.m.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee established a COVID-19 “command unit” on Monday afternoon. The effort will streamline coordination between the state’s Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the departments of Health and Military.
The intent is to help the state plan ahead as the coronavirus spreads. The unit will also be in charge of quarantine, testing strategies, and managing a potential shortage of hospital beds.
The move comes as statewide cases reached 615 today, up by 22% in the last 24 hours. COVID-19 has been detected in nearly half of the state’s counties. Two people have died.
The state says Stuart McWhorter, commissioner of the Finance Department, will lead the COVID-19 Unified Command. And he has named retired Brig. Gen. Scott Brower as its chief of staff.
— Damon Mitchell
Tennessee Governor Restricts ‘Non-Emergency’ Procedures
Monday, March 23 at 4 p.m.
Tennessee’s governor is cancelling on “non-essential procedures” at hospitals and surgery centers. The move is meant to preserve protective equipment for doctors and nurses, when they deal with an expected surge of patients with COVID-19.
Under the executive order signed Monday, hospitals and surgery centers have to postpone, “at a minimum,” joint replacement, bariatric surgery and cosmetic surgery. Excluded are heart surgeries, cancer treatment, organ transplants and labor and delivery. (You can read the order here.)
As part of the order, dentists also must shut down except for emergency procedures, and the state is asking them and surgery centers to turn over all masks, eye protection, TYVEK suits and gloves to the nearest Tennessee National Guard armory.
Gov. Lee says shutting down outpatient surgery centers should also free up ventilators if they are needed in hospitals.
“We will take these steps one at a time,” he said.
— Blake Farmer
Memphis, Tullahoma and Knoxville Issue ‘Safer At Home’ Orders
Several more cities in Tennessee, including Memphis, Tullahoma and Knoxville, are ordering residents to stay at home.
The orders come after a similar announcement in Nashville on Sunday. Memphis’ order will go into effect on Tuesday at 6 p.m, and will last until April 7. Knoxville’s order is effective at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.
They’re directing residents to stay inside their homes and are restricting traveling to essential needs only. In Memphis and Knoxville:
You can:
- Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
- Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first)
- Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
- Care for or support a friend or family member
- Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others.
- Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian if necessary
- Help someone to get necessary supplies
- Receive deliveries from any business which delivers
You should not:
- Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
- Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
- Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
- Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites.
There are currently nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Knoxville, according to the county. Shelby County has 84 confirmed cases. There are over 500 positive cases state-wide.
“It’s going to take all of us. There has to be personal responsibility … by staying safe at home you can save lives,” said Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.
In Tullahoma, the order enacts a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew effective immediately, and closes all business except for essential services beginning tomorrow at 6 p.m. Essential business include banks, maintenance, security, laundromats and government offices. A full list can be found on the Tullahoma city website.
“We want to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, to bend the curve, and to disrupt the spread of the virus, with the goal of saving lives and reducing strain on regional healthcare resources as much as possible,” said Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee.
Vanderbilt Confirms Second Coronavirus Death In Tennessee
Monday, March 23 at 12:45 p.m.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has confirmed a second death in Tennessee from COVID-19.
The death occurred Saturday, a day after Metro Health announced the state’s first death. A VUMC spokesman says the patient was not a resident of Davidson County, but like the first victim had underlying health complications.
As of this morning, Nashville has 184 positive cases of COVID-19, and Mayor John Cooper has issued a citywide order for people with non-essential business to remain at home.
— Chas Sisk
Metro Trustee End Walk-In Services
Monday, March 23 at 12:23 p.m.
The Metro Trustee’s Office is ending face-to-fact contact with customers, effective immediately. The change will remain place through April 3.
The office says employees are still available to assist eligible property owners with tax relief applications, but only through the mail or by phone.
They say residents aged 65 and older with limited incomes, along with disabled homeowners, can sign up for tax relief assistance until April 6. Residents applying for the first time should call 615-862-6330 for assistance. Details:
- The Tax Relief program is limited to homeowners with incomes no higher than $29,860. It pays up to $756.88 of their tax bill.
- The Tax Freeze is for senior homeowners with incomes no higher than $42,620. It freezes the amount of their tax bill, avoiding future increases.
- Totally Disabled Veterans of any age may be eligibility for property tax assistance up to $2,983.73.
The trustee is requesting all payments be made online, or by check or money order. They are asking residents not to submit cash payments. Payments can be placed in the drop box outside the Howard Office Building (700 2nd Ave. South in Nashville), or mailed to P.O. Box 196358, Nashville, TN, 37219.
— Damon Mitchell
National Supply Shortage Delaying Opening Of Drive-Thru Testing Centers
Monday, March 23 at 10:40 a.m.
Metro Health officials say they want to open drive-thru testing centers as soon as possible, but need state and federal support to do so.
“We will open up when we have the correct amount of supplies to make sure that our patients are taken care of well, as are our healthcare workers,” says Metro health board chair Alex Jahangir.
Jahangir says the delay is a supply issue, with a national shortage of medical masks, gloves and other protective gear. The city is scheduled to open up to five centers across Davidson County. As of this morning, Nashville has 184 positive cases and one confirmed fatality. There were five cases confirmed in the past 24 hours.
Yesterday the city issued a “Safer at Home Order” to prevent the spread of the virus, but Jahangir is encouraging residents to continue supporting Nashville restaurants while practicing social distancing. He says residents should keep at least six feet apart from other people if they go out.
“Drive-thru restaurants, takeouts, curbside and delivery are strongly encouraged. Please support our local businesses.”
— Damon Mitchell
Tennessee Doctors Demand Statewide Stay-At-Home Order
Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m.
More than 2,000 doctors and nurses have now signed a petition encouraging Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to follow the city of Nashville and order residents to stay in their homes.
On Sunday, Lee did restrict bars and restaurants to only offering takeout. He also closed gyms. But he has not closed non-essential businesses.
Several leaders of the petition organized a press conference online to explain their thinking.
Dr. Tufik Assad, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Williamson Medical Center, says the timing is critical because he expects people returning from trips could be contagious, even if they’re feeling well.
“I’m very concerned that people are going to be coming back from their pleasant spring break trips and in the next week, two or three, we’re going to see a major increase in the number of severe illnesses,” he said.
These physicians say they also want a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning to Tennessee from coronavirus hotspots, like parts of Europe, Seattle and New York City.
There are still many counties without a single confirmed case, or just a handful. Dr. Devin Sherman of Williamson Medical Center said he can imagine a stay-at-home order would feel like an overreaction there. He argues COVID-19 demands it.
“It is highly infectious, and it will touch every corner of the state unless we can do a better job of protecting the entire population,” Sherman said.
If hospitals in urban centers become overwhelmed, Sherman notes that rural hospitals rarely have much capacity for patients requiring intensive care.
“There’s going to be nowhere to go,” he said. “We’re all in this together. And we really have to understand that.”
— Blake Farmer
United Way Releases Funding
Sunday, March 22 at 6:41 p.m.
A relief fund for Nashville workers who’ve been laid off because of the coronavirus has begun releasing payments to assist residents with bills and basic needs.
“Other than our health and safety, there is not a more critical need in our community,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation. “We must prop our neighbors up in this unprecedented and difficult time.”
Spyridon says there are more layoffs to come. He’s encouraging residents to contact United Way of Greater Nashville, who’s managing the fund, if they need assistance.
They’ve raised about $1.5 million so far, and began transferring funds to partnering organizations on Friday. Assistance will be provided on a case-by-case basis, and may come in the form of cash or gift cards.
— Damon Mitchell
Confirmed Cases Top 500 Statewide
Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Tennessee is growing at an increasing rate as testing becomes more widely available. The daily count from the Tennessee Department of Health is 505, with big jumps in Sumner and Shelby counties.
The largest increase is from patients deemed to be either from out of state or whose residence is “unknown.”
“This is a very serious crisis that we all have a responsibility to address and to act responsibly to protect not only ourselves but our neighbors and protect the livelihoods of all Tennesseans,” Gov. Bill Lee said today in a video posted to social media.
The state has ordered bars, restaurants and gyms to close for in-person service. The state has not yet ordered people to stay in their homes, as Metro Nashville did earlier in the day, but hundreds of physicians are now asking Gov. Lee to take more drastic action.
— Blake Farmer
Metro Issues ‘Safer At Home’ Order
Sunday, March 22 at 10 a.m.
In a next step to force social distancing, Nashville Mayor John Cooper is closing non-essential businesses for two weeks. The “Safer at Home Order” begins at midnight.
Essential services are far broader than health care providers. Grocery stores and gas stations are asked to remain open, as are banks and law offices. The city has provided a full list here.
Here is the Metro Public Health Department’s guidance on what you can and can’t do under this particular order.
You can:
- Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
- Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first)
- Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
- Care for or support a friend or family member
- Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others.
- Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian if necessary
- Help someone to get necessary supplies
- Receive deliveries from any business which delivers
You should not:
- Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
- Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
- Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
- Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites.
Daycare businesses will be allowed to remain open, but they’re asked to prioritize children of parents working in jobs deemed essential.
Nashville’s order is considered “legally enforceable” and is similar to other cities that have experienced even more cases of COVID-19 infections.
“If we follow this order, I’m confident we will be safer at home,” Metro health board chair Alex Jahangir said at a press conference Sunday morning.
Nashville’s coronavirus count continues to climb, with 46 new cases confirmed in the last 24 hours. The total stands at 179 in Davidson County, by far the highest in the state. Two people are hospitalized.
Officially, one person in Nashville has died, as of Friday. Vanderbilt University Medical Center CEO Jeff Balser said Sunday morning that the hospital had its first fatality on Saturday, but that has not yet been disclosed.
“With the number of cases of COVID-19 rising rapidly, Nashvillians need to take every step now to slow the spread of the virus,” Balser said. “By following the order, we can reduce the number of people who need hospitalization all at once, enabling us to manage the coming COVID-19 patients while also serving people with many other conditions, like heart disease and cancer, who will continue to need us.”
— Blake Farmer
Gov. Lee Enacts Statewide Restrictions On Restaurants, Bars
Following the lead of Nashville, Memphis and other cities that have already restricted business operations, Gov. Bill Lee announced Sunday morning that all businesses in Tennessee should “utilize alternative business models” starting at midnight.
He signed an executive order that prohibits social gatherings of 10 or more people and instructs food-and-drink establishments to offer only takeout options, until at least April 6.
The order also allows establishments that sell alcohol to continue their sales via takeout or delivery, with the purchase of food.
Finally, gyms across the state are ordered to close and “pursue digital programming if possible,” and nursing homes visits are limited to essential care only.
— Emily Siner
See other recent updates, including FEMA’s suspension of field offices, in our previous live blog.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM