NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- Statewide projections for a COVID-19 surge mid-April were revised sharply downward after Gov. Bill Lee last week ordered Tennesseans to Shelter at Home.
Governors nationwide are relying on University of Washington projections to plan for a likely wave of seriously ill patients as the pandemic peaks.
Initial projections showed Tennessee needing thousands more hospital beds and ventilators than it has available. The new numbers show the mid-April surge well within the current capacity of Tennessee hospitals.
Lee says he sees “some good news” in the new projections, but he cautioned that they depend on Tennesseans following strict social distancing orders.
On Monday, Tennessee health officials reported 65 state residents have died to-date due to COVID-19 complications. The state reports 352 are currently hospitalized and 3,802 have tested postive.
