Governor Lee to end “safer-at-home” order as Coronavirus infections rise

At a time when reported Coronavirus infections are rising, Tennessee governor Bill Lee announced on Monday that he was not extending the “safer-at-home” order set to expire on April 30. According to his office most businesses will reopen in 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties on May 1.

Bill Lee’s order is contrary to the advice of many state and national medical experts. It came after a call President Trump had with several governors last week to discuss how to successfully reopen states. Lee was among the governors.

As of Monday, April 20, Tennessee has 7,238 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. That puts Tennessee 19th in the list of U.S. coronavirus cases by state. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tennessee rose on Monday, up 168 from one day earlier. There have been 152 deaths from the virus statewide.

At least 730 people have ever been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Tennessee. Forty-nine percent of confirmed cases have recovered and 2 percent have died. At the 2 percent ratio, approximately 136,500 Tennesseans could die from the virus.

Ninety-nine patients under the age of 10 have tested positive and one child died.

Fatalities among confirmed cases have been more prevalent in older age groups. Of those 80 and older, 32 percent have died from the virus. According to a census estimate in 2018, approximately 169,250 Tennesseans are 80 and older, four percent of Tennessee’s population. Not extending the “safer-at-home” order could result in the death of approximately 54,000 Tennesseans 80 and older.

While Nashville and its surroundings have been hardest-hit by the virus thus far, there is evidence that community spread is reaching into rural communities in the state.

People of all ages can be infected by the Coronavirus. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill or dying from the virus.

About 90 employees at the Tyson Foods plant in Goodlettsville have just tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to public health officials. The Goodlettsville plant produces case-ready beef and pork products for grocery stores and other retailers.

One of the best ways to prevent spread of the virus is washing your hands with soap and water. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends first washing with warm or cold water and then lathering soap for 20 seconds to get it on the backs of hands, between fingers and under fingernails before rinsing off.