Every day, the Tennessee Department of Health releases figures tracking the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in each county and statewide. In an effort to raise awareness about these figures and understand how our changes in behavior – including business closures, school closures, and sheltering in place for non-essential workers – are impacting infection rates, NashvilleHealth is sharing daily tracking updates and insights based on Department of Health data.
Here is the latest data as of 3pm on March 27th. Tennessee cases passed the 1000 mark, with an increase of 957 to 1203 confirmed COVID-19 cases over a 24-hour period. In the past week, testing has increased dramatically, although we are seeing a several-day lag in tests being processed. The increase in tests completed this week could mean we see a notable jump in confirmed cases next week once the results come in. We continue to stress that as testing capabilities expand, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases will inevitably grow.
The data continue to reflect that our confirmed cases skew towards a younger population, with more than a quarter (26%) of all TN confirmed cases in patients aged 21-30. Only 8% of our cases have been in patients 71 and older. Hospitalizations rose 36% from March 26 to 27, with over 100 cases or 8% of confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized.
Data acquired from the Tennessee Department of Health Website, analyzed by Sajid Khan, SVP at Change Healthcare and a NashvilleHealth board member.