COVID-19 Updates

Update 01/03/21 by Cory Calendine, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

The nation reported more than 210,000 new cases this past Sunday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. That was down from the previous day’s reported 297,491, which included data backlogs from states that didn’t report numbers for New Year’s Day. The holiday may still be affecting some reporting.

As of Saturday, the 7-day moving average of newly reported cases was 205,093, topping 200,000 for the first time since Christmas Day. The 14-day average was 197,321. When the seven-day average exceeds the 14-day average, it suggests cases are on the rise.

Hospitalizations in the U.S. hit a record 125,544 on Sunday—exceeding 125,000 for the fourth time in five days—according to the Covid Tracking Project, with 23,231 people in intensive care. Hospitals in hard-hit areas have run short of beds, and nurses and doctors find themselves overwhelmed.

More than 20.63 million people have been infected in the U.S., and more than 351,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins data. World-wide, more than 85.1 million people have been infected and more than 1.84 million have died.

The total COVID-19 case count for Tennessee is 608,297 as of January 3, 2021 including 7,025 deaths, 3,176 current hospitalizations and 526,966 are inactive/recovered. Percent positive today is 21.41%.

Metro Nashville has seen a total of 71,365 cases ever reported and 63,810 of those cases are now considered recovered or inactive. As of Sunday, 7,074 cases remain active.

Williamson County, Tennessee COVID-19 Statistics

Free COVID-19 testing remains available five days a week at county health departments. Find the closest testing site to your location: https://covid19.tn.gov/testing-sites/

COVID-19 Vaccine

Health officials are scrambling to vaccinate people as quickly as possible. In Tennessee more than 90,000 residents have received the first of two vaccine doses with a wave of second doses expected to begin soon.

The state's phased vaccination plan could be modified as new research, recommendations and vaccines are released — the latest revisions were announced last week. According to the latest information, Most people will have to wait months to get their doses.

• About 450,000 front-line workers and individuals with heightened health risks get access to the vaccine first.
• An additional 100,000 health care workers get access next.
• About 150,000 teachers, childcare workers and first responders will be next in line.
• Next, about 650,000 people with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of hospitalization or death will get access.
• Then access to the vaccine will go to about 600,000 people including grocery workers, people in prisons and people who support "critical infrastructure."

Tennessee also will begin vaccinating elderly residents on a rolling basis while giving shots to the other high-priority groups.

Previous Update, 12/28/20, by Cory Calendine, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Tennessee Ranked #1 New COVID-19 Cases per capita

Tennessee, over the last week, has climbed to the top of the list of all the states, having the highest number of daily cases per capita — 212.6 per 100,000 population.

In a list of the 89 counties that are the hottest of the hot spots for COVID-19 nationwide in the average number of daily cases per capita, 17 Tennessee counties have been on it this week.

The 17 Tennessee counties, on the list produced by the New York Times, that were among the 89 with the highest daily averages nationwide were, in descending order, DeKalb (212.6 per 100,000 population), Cannon (210.2), Lincoln (196.6), Scott (185.2), Miegs (185.2), Moore (185), Sequatchie (184.4), Rhea (167.6), Coffee (165.3), Sevier (163.4), Perry (162.7), Bedford (159.2), Henderson (157.5), Morgan (154.9), Lawrence (154) and Union (149.5).

The Tennessee health department attributes 506 deaths toCOVID-19 in the last seven days (Dec. 9 through Dec. 15). The number of Tennesseans hospitalized with COVID-19 in the last seven days was 555. In the prior seven days (Dec. 2 through Dec. 8) the number of Tennesseans hospitalized was 568.

According to the state, on Dec. 15, there were 168 available beds in intensive care units, 8 percent of the total 2,045. The total number of hospital floor beds, statewide, is 11,481 and of that number,12 percent (1,334)were available.

COVID-19 Leading Cause of Death in the US

COVID-19 has surpassed heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to an editorial published Thursday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University make the point that the surge in COVID-19 fatalities, from a weekly average of 826 daily deaths in November to more than 2,400 now, has turned the illness caused by the coronavirus into the nation's No.1 killer. Heart disease and cancer averaged about 1,700 and 1,600 daily deaths, respectively.

America Breaks at Least 4 COVID-19 Records

On Wednesday, the U.S. set several records for new cases and deaths, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data:

• Single-day record for deaths and cases: With 247,403 new cases and 3,656 deaths reported Wednesday
• Worst  week of cases: 1,510,106 were recorded as of Wednesday. At that rate, 150 Americans test positive every minute.
• Worst  week for deaths: 17,988  people died during the 7-day period ending Wednesday, surpassing the record set just the day before. At that pace an American is reported dead about every 34 seconds.

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Update from 10/25/20

According to the full article, originally published in the Tennessean, "the number of active cases in Williamson County has risen steadily over the past month and a half, while the number of hospitalizations reached an all time high." Williamson County is not alone. Many Tennessee counties are seeing an increase in active cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Wilson and Sumner counties followed suit this week in reinstating mask mandates and reinforcing community precautions to control the spread of COVID-19.

Covid-19 By The Numbers (as of 10/25)

Tennessee

• 247,587 total COVID-19 case count for Tennessee
• 3,131 deaths
• 973 current hospitalizations
• Percent positive for today is8.63%.
• 3,606 new cases of COVID-19 onFriday (10/23), 65 deaths reported (new 24-hour period record)
• Confirmed cases +33%, virus relateddeaths +20% compared to prior 7-day period avg.

Williamson County

• 804 active cases in Williamson County, up by 213 cases in the last (7) days
• spread rate .28%

Williamson County Schools

• 26 Staff members in Isolation with a confirmed positive case
• 44 Staff members in Quarantine due to exposure to a positive case
• 76 Students in Isolation with a confirmed positive case
• 959 Students in Quarantine due to exposure to a positive case

RELATED ARTICLE:

• Cloth Face Mask Tips and Recommendations (Article by Cory Calendine, MD)
• Should Kids Wear Face Masks? (Article by Cory Calendine, MD)

Why has Williamson County Reinstated Mask Mandate?

According to the Williamson County office of public safety,

Governor Lee has authorized individual counties to impose requirements for face coverings in public place where the number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing.  In Williamson County, while we recognize the inconvenience of wearing a face covering, we believe this inconvenience is a preferable alternative to the closure of businesses or continued closure of schools that might result if we are not able to slow the spread of COVID-19.   We encourage every citizen to do their part, consistent with the Order and with the guidance provided by state and federal health officials.

The Williamson County Emergency Management has put together a FREE COVID-19 prevention kit with content to download, print, publish online, or post to social media. This toolkit will be regularly updated, to provide you with the latest information. The kit contains excellent resources on preparedness and prevention for businesses, organizations and community members - allowing each of us the opportunity to do our part.

COVID-19 Resources:

• Williamson County Public Safety Office Prevention Toolkit (website with downloadable resources)
• Williamson County Mask Mandate (pdf)
• Downloadable Mask Mandate Signage
• Tennessee Department of Health Daily Report
• "Williamson County Mayor reinstates mask mandate, effective Saturday", Nashville Tennessean (Article)
• "Wilson, Sumner, and Williamson County mask mandates now in effect", WSMV, Nashville News 4 (Article)

The Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee is Open Regular Hours

Your health and wellness are a priority to us - even during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bone and Joint Institute and Williamson Medical Center are taking every precaution to keep our patients and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that this is a stressful time, and you may have questions about your health and the status of an upcoming appointment. Please see frequently asked questions below with our answers and if you have additional questions please give us a call at 615-791-2630.

COVID-19: Keeping Patients and Staff Safe

Many are struggling to adjust to the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought. As healthcare providers, we are thankful to be back in the clinic and operating room serving patients - even during these difficult times. The Bone and Joint Institute and Williamson Medical Center have made the safety and health of patients and staff their top priority. They are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and continue to follow the latest CDC guidelines by taking the necessary precautions to protect patients and staff. We appreciate the commitment of staff and administrators to keep our facilities safe and open to serve our community.

In addition to the protection measures we always have in place, our facilities have added enhanced protocols and procedures to further ensure your safety. To learn more about the safety measures in place, CLICK the link below each of the following videos describing the steps being taken by The Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee and Williamson Medical Center to keep you safe.

The Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee

Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee CEO, Darren Harris addresses the COVID-19 precautions continuing at BJIT. Additional COVID-19 information available at https://boneandjointtn.org/covid-19/

Williamson Medical Center

Additional information about enhanced safety measures at Williamson Medical Center available at https://williamsonmedicalcenter.org/keeping-our-patients-and-staff-safe/

COVID-19: By the Numbers

The United States reported 1.18 million new cases in September compared with 1.41 million in August. Overall, cases in the country reached 7.26 million compared with 6.05 million at the end of August, an increase of 19%. New cases of COVID-19 rose in 27 out of 50 U.S. states in September compared with August, led by Midwest states including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Wisconsin. Twenty-one states reported more deaths in September than in August. In more optimistic news, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients fell 15% in September from August to around 30,000 at the end of the month.

We have a long way to go with this COVID-19 pandemic. It remains important to protect those at the highest risk of severe illness and remain vigilant with efforts to wash our hands, physically distance and mask-up when appropriate. Below is a quick snapshot of COVID statistics for our state and county with links to follow for more information.

Williamson County

Williamson County saw an INCREASE in the following levels during the month of September:

• 57 more positive cases day over day in Williamson County (5,423 total positive cases – most total positive cases since the pandemic began)
• 19 more active cases day over day in Williamson County (376 total active cases)
• Percent Positive/Total Tested at 7.5%

Williamson County remains ranked sixth highest for number of positive cases among other Tennessee counties with no additional COVID-19 deaths (36 – thirteenth highest in state). You can opt-in by text to the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency for COVID-19 impact updates.

For additional COVID-19 updates and information, williamsonready.org recommends:

• CDC Preparedness and Prevention
• Williamson County Department of Health
• Tennessee State Department of Health
• Visit Franklin Travel Information
• Williamson County COVID-19 Case Data

Tennessee

As a National State of Emergency remains in place, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced this Tuesday that the State of Emergency in Tennessee will continue through October. Governor Lee explained,

“Tennessee’s response continues to be one of the most targeted in the country and a continued State of Emergency ensures we have access to additional federal funds, ensure our health care capacity is stable and loosen restrictions that would otherwise hinder our response time. COVID-19 is still a serious problem and I encourage every Tennessean to continue social distancing and doing their part to make wise choices and help mitigate the spread of the virus.”

Governor Lee ended some coronavirus restrictions and left local health departments in charge. This week Lee signed Executive Order No. 63 to extend certain targeted provisions of the previous executive orders through October 30, including the authority of local governments to institute mask requirements. Remaining restrictions on businesses and gathering sizes in the 89 counties with a state-run health department were removed.

Additional Tennessee COVID-19 statistics and updates available at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html

(Side Note) COVID-19 and The Titans

The NFL postponed the Tennessee Titans' home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday due to a number of positive COVID-19 tests within the team. The league announced yesterday that it was moving the game back "to allow additional time for further daily COVID-19 testing and to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel." The game will likely be played on either Monday or Tuesday. As of yesterday, four Titans players and five team personnel tested positive for COVID-19. The postponement marked the first NFL regular-season schedule change stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prayers for healthy recovery and return to play for all those involved. COVID-19 obviously still warrants our awareness and precautions. We are taking the steps to keep you safe and are thankful to be seeing patients again. Contact us with additional questions or concerns or to schedule an appointment today. If you know someone that has been delaying healthcare or a doctor's visit due to COVID-19 concerns, please share this information and encourage them to contact us with any additional questions.