Medicine and Health

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne)  --  A leading member of Nashville’s Coronavirus Task Force questioned the federal Center for Disease Control’s credibility after the agency first released, then withdrew new guidance concerning the virus.

A statement asserting that SARS-CoV-2 had gone airborne appeared on the CDC website last week, then was taken down soon after.

An airborne virus is a serious threat to public health.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne)  --  The number of new COVID-19 cases in Tennessee headed higher again this past week after falling for six weeks.

The number of confirmed infections among all state residents peaked in late July at more than 17,000 cases in a single week. The seven day count fell to just over 8500 cases two weeks ago.

But during this past week confirmed infections statewide turned higher, jumping by more than 23 percent.

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Channel’s Steve Doocy apologized on Monday “for any confusion” in reporting a now-debunked story about the mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, supposedly concealing the number of coronavirus cases linked to bars and restaurants in that city because they were so low.

But on Monday night, Fox’s Tucker Carlson said that “we don’t know the truth” about the Nashville case.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne)  --  A new Vanderbilt study suggests individuals who want to donate convalescent plasma after recovering from COVID-19 should do so quickly.

The Vanderbilt study shows that after just two months recovery, antibody levels in the blood of those infected by coronavirus can fall by more than half.

That would make plasma donations less effective in treating patients who fall gravely ill due to COVID-19.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne)  --  Tennessee health officials will loosen nursing home visitor restrictions beginning October first.

The move comes as the number of new cases of COVID-19 continue to fall statewide.

Commissioner of Health Dr. Lisa Piercey on Thursday announced that visitations will be permitted in any home that’s been virus free for at least two weeks. Visits will be allowed out of doors, or indoors when social distancing is possible.

Nursing homes will also be permitted to resume some group activities, including communal dining.