COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Nov 10, 2020 at 11:01 am by Staff


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COVID Update 1/7

Well, 2021 is off to a roaring start between insurrection and soaring COVID infections nationwide. Several community providers have reached out to us about how to secure vaccines when you aren't affiliated with a hospital. We are working to get you answers. Our friends at AARP have put together a good guide to what we know so far in Tennessee, and we also have posted information from the Tennessee Department of Health on their updated plans. READ MORE


The COVID-19 Vaccine in Tennessee

As of Jan. 6, Tennesseans age 75 and up have begun to receive COVID-19 vaccines in all but five counties. But many seniors have not been able to get a vaccine because of high demand for a limited number of doses. READ MORE

 


AHCA/NCAL Issues Statement Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout In Long Term Care

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released the following statement regarding the pace of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. READ MORE


COVID Update 1/5

With a more contagious variant of the COVID virus now identified in several states, it is only a matter of time before the strain arrives in Tennessee ... and, indeed, is probably already here. READ MORE
 

COVID Update 12/28

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). READ MORE


Statement Concerning Tennessee's Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

"The physicians of the Tennessee Medical Association have consistently recommended that mask requirement orders be issued in all counties with over 10 new cases per 100,000 population per day. Since the best county in Tennessee at present has over 80 new cases/100,000/day over the past 7 days, we believe all Tennessee counties should be under mask requirement orders at this time. READ MORE


Complete Health Partners donates COVID testing, medical consultation to live music industry fundraiser

Complete Health Partners, a healthcare clinic locally-owned and operated by a team of Nashville physicians, served as presenting sponsor of the Live Events Lift Up Festival, also known as LEVL UP Fest, which raised money to help the millions of workers behind the scenes in the live music industry who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. READ MORE


Ascension Saint Thomas Administers COVID-19 Vaccine to Frontline Caregivers

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) having issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for a COVID-19 vaccine, Ascension, one of the nation's leading nonprofit and Catholic health systems, is implementing a comprehensive vaccine distribution plan that is consistent with federal, state and local guidance. READ MORE


Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Arriving in Tennessee, Next Steps Announced

The Tennessee Department of Health today announced the state expects to receive its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on or around Dec. 21. READ MORE


Williamson Medical Center COVID-19 Vaccine Statement

Williamson Medical Center (WMC) is among the list of Tennessee hospitals slated to receive the first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. READ MORE


TDH Announces Testing Schedule Change

Tennessee Department of Health COVID-19 testing sites across the state will begin offering self-testing kits to adults three days a week December 21, to allow staff members to transition to vaccination of frontline health care providers and first responders. READ MORE


Alexander: FDA Approval of Reliable, Low-Cost, At Home Diagnostic Test is "A Genuine Breakthrough" in COVID-19 Testing

Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the Food and Drug Administration's approval of Ellume's new over-the-counter, at-home diagnostic COVID-19 test. READ MORE


Op Ed: The COVID-19 vaccine is ready, and so is Ascension Saint Thomas

From the moment COVID-19 emerged in the United States, dedicated caregivers across Ascension -- and caregivers everywhere -- have worked tirelessly on the front lines to care for those impacted by the pandemic. READ MORE


COVID Update 12/9

Stop me if you've heard this before ... another day, another grim milestone. READ MORE

 


AHA, AMA, ANA ISSUE OPEN LETTER URGING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO TAKE COVID-19 VACCINE & SHARE EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS


WASHINGTON, DC - With the initial distribution and administration of a COVID-19 vaccine underway, leading U.S. medical, nursing and hospital organizations thanked health care professionals in an open letter today and urged them to continue their battle against COVID-19 by taking a vaccine and sharing their experience with others, noting their position as trusted and valued voices in their communities. READ MORE

 


Poll: Fewer Than 6 in 10 Tennessee Parents Report Wearing Masks All the Time, Nearly Half Won't Vaccinate Their Children for COVID-19

Many Tennessee parents are not wearing masks consistently to control community spread of COVID-19, despite recommendations from public health officials, according to new a poll conducted by the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy. READ MORE


COVID Update 12/7

Another day, another grim milestone ... doesn't it feel like that message is now on daily repeat? READ MORE


Comcast Extends COVID Support With 60 Days Of Free Internet For Low-Income Customers And Free WIFI Access

Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) announced that it will extend its commitments to help people connect to the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic as millions continue to stay home while many workplaces and schools operate virtually. READ MORE


COVID Update 12/3

Numbers of confirmed cases continue to be high in the wake of Thanksgiving celebrations and numbers of available ICU beds across the state continue to be low with approximately 174 of 2,051 ICU beds (8%) available statewide as of yesterday afternoon. Statewide floor bed capacity is a little better at 1,455 open beds out of 11,490 (13%). Both numbers are slightly better than Nashville, which currently has 6% ICU and 12% floor beds available. READ MORE


COVID Update 12/2

Individuals looking to be tested at one of the city's three community assessment centers should note changes in hours this week. The hours for today and tomorrow will be 9 am-3 pm, and Fri. is 8 am-2 pm. In addition, testing will be held at Cockrill Elementary today from 3-6 pm. On Fri., a testing site will be set up at Nancy Webb Methodist Church. Tests are free. To direct patients to updated testing hours and sites, please have them go online to asafenashville.org. READ MORE


Long Term Care Industry Applauds CDC Panel For Making Residents And Staff The Highest Priority For Vaccine Distribution

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released the following statement in response to the decision by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to include long term care residents and staff, including nursing homes and assisted living communities, for the first round "1a" of vaccine distribution. READ MORE


COVID Update 12/1

It's been nearly a week since we last logged a COVID-19 update. We hope everyone had a safe, small Thanksgiving. A huge 'Thank You!' to all those who worked over the holiday to care for patients. READ MORE
 

COVID Update 11/25

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! READ MORE


Nursing Homes See Continued Record Number Of New COVID Cases As Community Spread Increases Across The U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report showing nursing homes in the U.S. continue to see a record number of weekly new cases this month due to the community spread among the general population, surpassing previous peaks since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started tracking cases in nursing homes. READ MORE


COVID Update 11/24

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. READ MORE


Envision Healthcare Deploys Additional Clinicians to Texas as Part of National COVID-19 Response

Envision Healthcare, a leading national medical group, announced today that it is deploying 80 clinicians to El Paso and Lubbock, Texas, to provide additional clinical support and expertise as these communities and the state face a surge in COVID-19 patients READ MORE


COVID Update 11/19

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a little smaller in Davidson County as Mayor Cooper announced limiting groups to 8 for indoor gatherings. However, there was some wiggle room for larger events where there was space to separate people into small groups of 8. READ MORE


Nashville Health Care Council Hosts Sarah Cannon CEO Dee Anna Smith for HEALTH CARE BRASS TACKS Series Event

On November 11, the Nashville Health Care Council hosted a member discussion with Dee Anna Smith, CEO of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare. READ MORE


COVID Update 11/17

As Nashville logged in nearly 1,000 new cases today and the state nears 4,000 deaths from COVID, a bit of good news! The Tennessee Department of Health announced the state has been chosen as one of four states to participate in a pilot program for delivery of the Pfizer Inc. COVID-19 vaccine, which is now under development. READ MORE


AHA, AMA & ANA Urge White House To Work With Incoming Biden Administration On Covid-19 Response READ MORE


COVID Update 11/16

Another tough weekend with COVID-19 as the U.S. surpasses 11 million confirmed cases and nears 250,000 deaths. The state added more than 10,000 new cases over the weekend and unfortunately broke a record with today's report ... adding nearly 8,000 new cases in 24 hours. Nashville also hit a milestone by passing the 40,000 mark of confirmed cases today. READ MORE


Urgent COVID-19 Joint Statement: Williamson Medical Center, Williamson County Health Department, Williamson County Schools, Franklin Special School District, Williamson, Inc.

The number of active COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations has increased dramatically across the state, in Middle Tennessee and in Williamson County over the last week. In response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, Williamson Medical Center, Williamson County Health Department, Williamson County Schools, Franklin Special School District and Williamson, Inc. are jointly calling on the community to take the necessary steps to mitigate virus spread and its subsequent impact on citizens, businesses, schools and healthcare providers. READ MORE


Younger Parents Less Likely to Vaccinate Their Children and Themselves Against COVID-19

Younger parents were much less likely than older parents to say they planned to vaccinate their children and themselves against COVID-19, according to a research letter published online in medRxiv by authors at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. READ MORE


COVID Update 11/13

Ending the work week on a low note as Tennessee surpasses 300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and Nashville inches nearer to 40,000 cases. READ MORE


COVID Update 11/12

Tennessee is coming off its deadliest day of the pandemic with 89 deaths statewide in a 24-hour window. Numbers continue to rise across the nation and the state, as Tennessee cases approach 300,000. Staff and bed shortages are becoming all too real in communities across the U.S. In Nashville and the state, ICU beds are down and hospitalizations are up. READ MORE


UPDATED: Nursing Homes See Major Spike In New COVID Cases Due To Community Spread

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report today showing new COVID cases are increasing in nursing homes in the U.S. due to the community spread among the general population. READ MORE


Hydroxychloroquine Does Not Help Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: Study

Findings from a national study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) "do not support" the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. READ MORE


COVID Update 11/9

During a weekend when all eyes were on election results, COVID-19 ignored all counts except the number of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths across the country as the United States crossed 10 million total cases and neared 240,000 deaths. READ MORE


COVID Update 11/3

Nashville has extended Phase 3 of the reopening plan. Effective immediately: READ MORE


TN Physicians' Prescription Against COVID

A Prescription for the People of Tennessee from Your Physicians,

As physicians on the front lines combatting COVID-19, we know that wearing face coverings (masks) in public is an important factor in slowing the spread of COVID-19. READ MORE


VUMC Begins Study of Second COVID-19 Vaccine

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has begun recruiting up to 250 participants for a Phase 3 clinical trial testing an investigational COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. READ MORE


COVID Update 11/2

COVID-19 cases continue to rise across most of the country. Nashville and the state of Tennessee are no exception. READ MORE


Areas Without Mask Requirements Have Larger Increase in COVID-19 Hospitalizations; Consumer Spending Still Depressed

All areas of Tennessee have seen a resurgence in hospitalized COVID-19 patients since early October, but hospitals that draw patients from counties without masking requirements are experiencing much sharper increases, according to a new analysis from researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. READ MORE


COVID Update 10/26

What a difference a week makes ... and not in a good way. READ MORE


Statement of support for mask wearing from Wendy Long, M.D., president and CEO of the Tennessee Hospital Association:

"We are once again at a crossroads and we need our fellow Tennesseans to help ensure we head down the better path. READ MORE


Meharry Medical College CEO James Hildreth Discusses Health Disparities and Pandemic Response in Nashville Health Care Council's HEALTH CARE BRASS TACKS Series Event

On October 20, the Nashville Health Care Council hosted a member discussion with Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, the nation's largest private, independent, historically black academic health sciences center. READ MORE


COVID Update 10/19

It's been five days since we last shared numbers, and things are getting dicey across the country. Having not gotten the spread under control while the weather was warm, infectious disease experts across the nation are sounding the alarm on the potential spikes and increased hospitalizations and deaths heading into the winter months. READ MORE


 

COVID Update 10/14

COVID-19 activity is picking up across the state, including in Davidson County. While today saw an increase of 128 cases, reports of new cases on both Monday and Tuesday topped 200 over a 24-hour period. Additionally, Nashville has returned to the red on transmission rate, seen an increase in hospitalizations, and a decrease in ICU bed capacity. READ MORE


COVID-19 Long-Acting Antibodies Discovered by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Move to Phase 3 Clinical Trials

AstraZeneca is advancing into phase 3 clinical trials with an investigational COVID-19 therapy of two long-acting antibodies discovered by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and optimized by AstraZeneca. READ MORE


Update 10/6

After nearly two weeks of new case numbers right at or under 100 per day, Nashville saw a jump in new cases over the last 24 hours. READ MORE


COVID Update 10/5

Nashville is now in Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening. Many businesses can now operate at 50% capacity, but there are maximums for a number of sectors like restaurants, bars and transportainment. READ MORE

AMA: Modify Proposed Medicare Fee Schedule To Reflect Pandemic Challenges

CHICAGO -- Submitting detailed comments today on the proposed Medicare fee schedule for 2021, the American Medical Association (AMA) warned that some proposed regulations would hurt many physician practices already besieged by the pandemic. READ MORE


Update 10/1

Welcome to Phase 3. Nashville is loosening some restrictions (although the mask mandate stays in place) as the city's numbers continue to decrease and the majority of metrics remain in the green. READ MORE


Meharry Conducting Free COVID Testing on Saturdays at Local Churches

Meharry Medical College will again be conducting FREE COVID-19 TESTING for community members on Saturdays throughout October beginning this Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. READ MORE


Update 9/28

As of 9:30 today, the city reported 28,846 confirmed cases, an increase of 431 since Friday (and 193 over the last 24 hours). READ MORE


Update 9/25

As the weekend approaches, Nashville prepares to move into a new phase of reopening come Oct. 1. READ MORE


Aegis Sciences Corporation CEO Frank Basile Discusses COVID-19 Strategies in Nashville Health Care Council's HEALTH CARE BRASS TACKS Series Event

On September 17, the Nashville Health Care Council hosted a member discussion with Dr. Frank Basile, CEO, Aegis Sciences Corporation. READ MORE


Update 9/22

On a day when the United States hits the grim milestone of 200,000 lives lost to COVID-19, Tennessee nears 200,000 confirmed cases and surpassed 2,000 deaths several days ago. READ MORE


Study Finds COVID-19 Antibodies Drop Substantially in the Weeks Following Infection

The antibody levels to SAR-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, substantially drop in the weeks following infection, according to a study led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). READ MORE


Update 9/15

As of 9:30 today, the city reported 27,492 confirmed cases, an increase of 192 over the last 24 hours. READ MORE


Urgent Team now offering Rapid Antigen testing for COVID-19

Urgent Team Walk-in Urgent Care is expanding its COVID-19 testing capabilities to include Rapid Antigen testing. READ MORE


Update 9/11

It's too soon to know if Labor Day will have an impact on COVID-19 cases in Tennessee, yet. READ MORE
 

Google Supports COVID-19 Genetic Study by VUMC, UNC-Chapel Hill

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill have been awarded $500,000 by Google's philanthropy, Google.org, to study how COVID-19 alters gene expression in some people in ways that may be linked to their risk of severe illness and death. READ MORE


Update 9/8

It's too soon to know if Labor Day will have an impact on COVID-19 cases in Tennessee, yet. However, we do know the city and state have seen upticks following Memorial Day and July 4th festivities. READ MORE


Stability in COVID-19 hospitalizations reflects continued progress in some areas, recent increases in others

Since late July, Tennessee has seen stable or declining numbers of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but there are some early signs this trend is reversing in some regions of the state. READ MORE


Vanderbilt Launches Clinical Trial of Outpatient Treatments for COVID-19

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is now enrolling volunteers for a clinical trial of promising treatments for COVID-19 in the outpatient setting. READ MORE


Update 9/3

The Tennessee Department of Health has made some changes to the way they are reporting 'recovered/inactive' cases and have also reassigned some case numbers to different counties where a case was reported in one county, but the resident actually resides in another county. READ MORE


TDH UPDATES REPORTING FORMAT FOR COVID-19 CASES

The Tennessee Department of Health is improving the format for sharing of data on COVID-19 to update how some metrics are calculated and reflect evolving knowledge of the pandemic. READ MORE


PathGroup Selected by NIH to Become RADx Program "Mega-Lab" for COVID-19 Testing

PathGroup, one of the largest private providers of pathology, clinical and molecular laboratory services in the United States, today announced the award of a funding grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx SM) program. READ MORE


Update 9/2

New Nashville cases top 100 for the first time in days. Available ICU beds also have dropped, remaining in the yellow but teetering on red. On the plus side, active cases in Nashville are under 1,400. READ MORE


Update 8/31

Nashville moves to a less restrictive phase of reopening beginning tomorrow. Bars will be allowed to add a little more capacity, transportainment operations can restart, event/wedding/funeral venues can reopen at one-third capacity but capped at 125 people, and restaurants can resume bar and counter service. READ MORE


Update 8/28
 
After several days with new case numbers under 100, Nashville has again risen above the century mark the last two days. However, new confirmed cases continue to be significantly lower than during the city's earlier peak. READ MORE

Update 8/26

While Nashville has seen several straight days with new cases under 100, the state's numbers jumped back up today. After the state logged only 813 new cases yesterday, that figure more than doubled today. READ MORE


Update 8/25

Nashville and state numbers have begun to decline in terms of new cases. See details below. READ MORE


Metro Nashville

As of 9:30 today, the city reported 24,963 confirmed cases, an increase of 123 over the last 24 hours. There are currently 2,560 active cases in Nashville, 22,178 individuals who have recovered and 162 active hospitalizations (up 37 since yesterday). With 225 deaths, the city has a case fatality rate of 0.9%. READ MORE


Urgent Care Industry Prepares for "Worst" COVID-19, Influenza Season Yet

A COVID-19 surge, along with the upcoming flu season, could create the "worst fall" in history, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield. READ MORE


WMC to Resume Inpatient Elective Surgeries Next Week

While case numbers may continue to fluctuate, Williamson Medical Center (WMC) has tracked with the state and county in seeing a stabilized pattern in the number of reported active COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations over the past two weeks. In response to this data trend, WMC is scheduled to resume inpatient elective surgeries requiring an overnight hospital stay on Monday, August 24. READ MORE


Nashville Business Leaders Launch ReCOVer-Health, a Concierge COVID Management Solution for Businesses

Nashville business leaders today announced the launch of ReCOVer-Health, a new enterprise that offers access to a comprehensive and customizable suite of services to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for businesses in industries at an increased risk of transmitting the virus. READ MORE

 

 

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