NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne) -- Tennessee health officials reported a startling jump in the number of COVID-19 related deaths on Tuesday. Twenty-three patients have now died of coronavirus complications, up 10 fatalities in a single day.
Officials said there are now 2,239 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide, up 405 cases in one day. There are 175 Tennesseans hospitalized.
The jump in fatalities took place on the same day new virus related restrictions ordered by Gov. Bill Lee went into effect. The governor on Monday ordered all non-essential businesses statewide closed. The new restrictions are intended to slow the spread of the virus.
Gov. Lee did not order Tennesseans to shelter at home as his critics and many health professionals have demanded. Lee told reporters that he has resisted such calls because personal liberty “remains deeply important to me."
Nashville health officials reported Tuesday morning that there are currently 541 confirmed COVID-19 cases across Metro, up 98 infections in 24 hours. Fourteen Nashvillians remain hospitalized. Eighty have recovered from the illness.
Coronavirus assessment and testing will take place again Wednesday in Nashville. Drive-through test sites are located at Nissan Stadium and Meharry Medical College. Officials hope to open a third site Wednesday in Antioch.
Assessment and testing is only available to those who are first pre-screened by calling Nashville’s Coronavirus hotline at 615-862-7777.
